Warning as RAF lose practice bomb

PA
Thursday October 04, 2007

A practice bomb has accidentally been dropped from a fighter plane during a training exercise, the RAF has said.

The 14kg bomb was lost from a Tornado GR4 aircraft during a routine flight from its base at Lossiemouth in Moray.

The RAF said they do not know if the device survived the fall. They have yet to locate the bomb and have warned the public against touching it.

A spokesman for RAF Lossiemouth said: "Even if the practice bomb survived the fall, we would stress it is highly unlikely to represent a significant danger to the public.

"However, anyone who finds what they believe to be the bomb, which is approximately two and a half feet long and dark blue in colour, is advised not to touch the device but to inform the police of its location.

"An investigation has been convened to determine the cause of the release."

The bomb fell some time during the 90 minute flight, around half of which was over the sea.

The overland journey included a low-level route through Northumberland and north east Scotland.

The spokesman added: "Whilst incidents like this are extremely rare, we pride ourselves in being open and honest with the community and that is why we have issued this statement proactively."