The Greek army has dismantled 314 bombs found during construction work on a new district south of Greece's capital Athens.
The explosives were found in an underground storage room at Athens' old Ellinikon airport (which closed in March 2001) and date back to the Second World War. "These bombs have been next to our homes for 80 years," commented local mayor Giannis Konstantatos in the Kathimerini newspaper on Friday.
According to the bomb disposal service, the bombs were located two metres underground. Over the years, the site has housed sports facilities and schools for the 2004 Olympic Games. "We owe it to chance that we are still alive," Konstantatos added.
The mayor revealed that the bombs were stored by the German Air Force during Athens' occupation in the Second World War. They were left behind when the German forces retreated in the face of the advancing Red Army.
A new residential area is currently being built on the 620-hectare airport site. According to Greek media, ongoing construction work may prove challenging, as more bombs are feared to be stored there.
