KATHMANDU: London City Airport has been closed after a World War II bomb was found nearby in the River Thames, BBC News reported.

It has been reported that the airport closure triggered cancellation of all flights affecting up to approximately 16,000 passengers.

The bomb was discovered at about 05:00 GMT (10:45 am Nepal Standard Time) on Sunday at George V Dock during pre-planned work at the airport in east London, the Met Police were quoted as saying.

The airport was shut at 22:00 GMT (3:45 am Monday NST) and the Met said it was working with the Royal Navy to remove the device.

Officers and @RoyalNavy are dealing with a WWII Ordnance River Thames at George V Dock, E16, by @LondonCityAir - exclusion zone in place #Newham https://t.co/fhHEwMAMVe pic.twitter.com/jfJE9i6RVD

— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) February 11, 2018

"Following the discovery of a World War II ordnance in King George V Dock as part of planned development works, a 214-metre exclusion zone has been implemented as a precaution by the Met Police," London City Airport‏ tweeted.

All passengers due to travel from London City on Monday were advised not to travel to the airport until further notice and to contact their airlines for further information as the terminal was closed.

Met Police, Royal Navy and London Borough of Newham were said to have been dealing with a WW II ordnance in the River Thames at George V Dock, E16, the airport tweeted.

Meanwhile, the service between Pontoon Dock and Woolwich Arsenal has been suspended on police request following discovery of the WW II artillery.

In view of the inconvenience to passengers, and in particular to some of the local residents, the airport said, it is cooperating fully with the Met Police and Royal Navy, and working hard to safely remove the device and resolve the situation as quickly as possible.