Unexploded Second World War torpedo forces closure of Orkney Islands airport
Main airport closed for three hours while controlled explosion takes place
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The main airport of the Orkney Islands will be closed for three hours on the busiest day of the week because of an unexploded German torpedo in nearby Scapa Flow.
Loganair says Kirkwall airport will be closed from 11.30am to 2.30pm on Friday.
The torpedo was discovered on Monday close to the wreck of HMS Royal Oak, which was sunk by a U-boat in October 1939, soon after the start of the Second World War.
A Royal Navy bomb disposal team “will be engaged in the recovery, movement and detonation of a suspected live warhead”, according to the Orkney Islands Council Harbour Authority.
In a Notice to Mariners it has warned vessels in the vicinity to stay at least 1.2 miles away.
Flight paths to and from the airport go over Scapa Flow – the deep body of water surrounded by the Orkney Mainland and other islands.
Loganair told passengers: “Please check flight status before going to the airport, as there will be delays.
“We're sorry for the inconvenience this will cause.”
Flights to and from Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and some smaller Orkney Islands will be affected.
Last week all flights were halted at Berlin’s Schoenefeld airport for over an hour due to the discovery of an unexploded Allied bomb from the Second World War.
Many flights were delayed, and six were diverted.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments