HOMES were rocked by a massive explosion as bomb disposal experts detonated a huge Second World War mine off the Clacton coastline.
Walton and Frinton Lifeboat transported a Royal Navy bomb disposal team to the site of the device, about half a mile off Holland Haven, last night.
Shocked residents reported hearing a massive explosion as the mine was detonated.
The 1400lb explosive had become snagged in a boat's fishing net.
Residents described hearing the blast.
James Young, of Keswick Avenue, Holland-on-Sea, said: "I was in the bath and the shockwave made the water ripple.
"It was some bang - it shook the house.
"Later I was talking to a neighbour in the supermarket and they had heard it."
Eric Jones, of Edison Road, said: "It was like a gas explosion - it was horrendous.
"I live 850 paces from the cliff-top and felt it in our first-floor apartment.
"There was just this bang that came out of the blue.
"This is a very solidly-built block of apartments, but it still shook us.
- Walton and Frinton RNLI took part in the operation
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