ECB says to hunt for bombs under site for new HQ

FRANKFURT, Mar 29 (Reuters) The European Central Bank is to start hunting for World War Two bombs buried beneath the site for its new 500 million euro (600 million dollars) headquarters in Frankfurt.

Frankfurt, like many European cities, was heavily bombed during World War Two, and planning rules require the ECB to check for unexploded munitions before construction starts in 2007, the bank said.

The 12-hectare site next to the river Main is currently occupied by a popular Frankfurt landmark, a now-abandoned 1920s market hall which will be incorporated into the 184-metre-tall design due for completion in 2011.

REUTERS CS RAI0912