Controlled disposal near future Terminal 5 area set for early April 2
A World War II aerial bomb found within Changi Airport premises is set to be destroyed on-site in a tightly managed overnight operation, drawing attention to both public safety and the scale of ongoing development works in eastern Singapore.
Bomb Found During Construction Work
Police said they were informed at 4.55am on March 31 about a war relic discovered during construction works along Tanah Merah Coast Road within Changi Airport premises. The Singapore Armed Forces Explosive Ordnance Disposal team later assessed the object to be a 250kg World War II aerial bomb, raising immediate safety concerns due to its size and condition.
Military Experts Will Destroy It On-Site
After assessing the relic to be unsafe to move, military experts decided that the bomb would be disposed of at the construction site itself. The controlled disposal is scheduled to take place on April 2 between 2.30am and 4.30am, with police stressing that the operation will be contained within the site and that public areas will not be affected.
Site Lies Near Key Airport Infrastructure
According to the police map and location checks, the disposal site lies between two runways and is near Changi Jurassic Mile and Tanah Merah Country Club’s Tampines Course. The area also appears to fall within the Changi East development zone, which includes the future Terminal 5 project, making the discovery especially notable given the airport’s largest expansion to date.
Authorities Coordinate To Minimize Risk
Police said they are working closely with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, Changi Airport Group, the Singapore Armed Forces, and the Singapore Civil Defence Force to ensure the disposal is carried out safely. Members of the public were also advised not to be alarmed by loud sounds during the operation, which is expected to take place while airport activity continues overnight.
Discovery Revives Memories Of Past Wartime Relics
The find follows earlier cases involving unexploded wartime ordnance in Singapore. In 2023, the disposal of a 100kg World War II bomb in Upper Bukit Timah caused cracked ceilings and shattered glass in nearby homes after residents were evacuated. In 2016, another 227kg aerial bomb was disposed of by the army on Pulau Senang, showing that while such discoveries are rare, they remain a real risk during major construction works.
The Changi bomb disposal operation highlights how remnants of past conflicts can still surface during modern infrastructure development. For Singaporeans, it is a reminder of the careful coordination required to balance public safety with major national projects. For Indonesians and Singaporeans, the incident also shows how rapidly growing urban and transport hubs across the region may continue to uncover hidden wartime risks as construction expands.
Sources: Straits Times (2026) , Yahoo! News Singapore (2026)
Keywords: Changi Airport Bomb, World War II Relic Singapore, SAF Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Tanah Merah Coast Road, Terminal 5 Development, Singapore Police
