A large-scale bomb disposal operation is underway in Colombes amid high tension.

The operation, which began at 7:00 AM, is concentrated on rue des Champarons where this explosive device was discovered on April 10 during construction work.

The bomb disposal experts from the central laboratory of the police headquarters (LCPP) are currently dealing with the threat.

The evacuation of residents ended at 10:30 am and the operation began immediately afterward.

Extracted from a wall and then moved into a specially dug pit two meters deep, the bomb is the subject of two scenarios.

Specialists are primarily trying to extract its detonator in a maneuver estimated to take four hours.

If this proves impossible, the weapon will be destroyed by an underground explosion, prolonging the operation to up to eight hours. To secure the area, a 450-meter evacuation perimeter was established at dawn.

Alerted by the FR-Alert notification system, residents had to leave their homes on foot after closing their shutters.

Five reception centers have opened in Colombes, Asnières-sur-Seine and Bois-Colombes to house them, while 220 vulnerable people have been taken care of by the emergency services.

The completely deserted area is now being patrolled by law enforcement to prevent opportunistic burglaries.

Road traffic and the operation of six RATP bus lines remain disrupted.

A second perimeter, extending to one kilometer, also prohibits all outdoor gatherings.

During a press conference held on Thursday, the prefect of Hauts-de-Seine, Alexandre Brugère, warned on behalf of the prefecture that this was a "risky" operation, requiring a "high level of preparation in an extremely tight timeframe".

Residents will have to wait until 19:00 PM at the latest to receive a final SMS authorizing them to return home.