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Bomb found in Cologne: 20,000 people have to leave their homes!
In Cologne, 20,000 people have to leave their homes because of the discovery of three WWII bombs. Evacuation is underway.
Bomb found in Cologne: 20,000 people have to leave their homes!
Three World War II bombs were discovered in Cologne on Monday, June 2, 2025, leading to a major evacuation of around 20,500 residents and professionals. Loud Cosmo The affected people must leave their homes and workplaces in the danger area, which will be closed on Wednesday, June 4, 2025 within a radius of 1,000 meters around the site in Deutz. This measure is necessary to safely defuse the bombs.
The explosive ordnance disposal service of the Düsseldorf district government is planning to defuse the two American 20-hundred-pound bombs and the American ten-pound bomb. The bombs are explosive finds with impact detonators that must be disposed of urgently to ensure the safety of the population. This operation is already considered the largest evacuation operation since the Second World War.
Evacuation measures and television stations affected
The evacuation measures also affect essential facilities in the city such as the Eduardus Hospital, two retirement homes, the Cologne Messe/Deutz train station and numerous schools and daycare centers. The television station RTL is also affected by the evacuation. In a current morning show, “Point 6”, the presenters were still able to broadcast live, but the following show, “Point 7”, had to be canceled early due to the threat of evacuation. At 8 a.m., all employees were supposed to leave the building, which was announced by the presenters during the broadcast. WDR also canceled an ongoing live broadcast in order to take security precautions.
Two contact points have been set up for people who cannot find private shelter. The contact point for those on the right bank of the Rhine is in exhibition hall 10.1, while the one for those on the left bank of the Rhine will be opened in the Humboldtstrasse vocational college, Pearlgraben 101 branch. Both centers will also open at 8 a.m. and a shuttle service will be in place to support evacuees. Further information is provided via local media such as Radio Cologne, WDR and the Cologne transport company.
Explosive ordnance disposal in a historical context
The disposal of ordnance, such as that described here, is an important issue in Germany, which deals with the legacy of military conflicts. After the Second World War, explosive ordnance disposal was initially managed by the Allied occupying forces and later by the federal states. Each federal state has its own explosive ordnance disposal service that is responsible for removing dangerous objects. The process includes not only defuse, but also historical exploration and threat assessments to minimize potential risks. This includes the use of archive materials and aerial photographs to identify the exact location and type of explosive ordnance and to create appropriate clearance concepts.
The situation remains tense for those affected in Cologne, while the authorities are doing everything they can to safely defuse the bombs and ensure public safety. The challenge posed by the disposal of such ordnance shows that the consequences of the war are still felt decades after it ends, which is why the city of Cologne is doing everything it can to ensure the safety of its citizens.