Evacuation in Cologne: 20,000 people affected by world war bomes!

Evacuation in Cologne: 20,000 people affected by world war bomes!

On June 3, 2025, considerable evacuation measures will be initiated in Cologne after three World War II bombs were discovered during exploratory work in the Deutz district. These bombs, two 20-centers bombs and a 10-center bomb, all have an American origin and require the evacuation of around 20,000 people. This measure is one of the greatest of its kind in recent years in the city.

The RTL site, which is located in the restricted area, is also affected by the security measures. The entire RTL building will be cleared from 8 a.m., and RTL Germany employees will work in the mobile office on this day. While some formats such as "point 6" and "point 7" are broadcast live from the Cologne studio, the format "point 8" is no longer available. The programs "Point 12", "RTL Aktuell" and "RTL Nachtjournal", on the other hand, are transferred from the capital city studio in Berlin. Many other programs were recorded in advance.

evacuation details and closures

The evacuation not only includes the RTL studio, but also many residential areas, the Cologne-Messe/Deutz station, the Cologne town hall, a hospital as well as two nursing and old people's homes and several schools. The old town of Cologne and 58 hotels are also part of the evacuation radius. In order to ensure the safe handling of the bombs, three bridges over the Rhine, especially the Severinsbrücke, the Deutzer Brücke and the Hohenzollern Bridge, are blocked. The Cologne cathedral remains just outside the restricted zone and is therefore not directly affected.

The bombs were discovered on Monday and the defusing is planned for next Wednesday. Cologne was heavily bombed in the Second World War, which explains the repeated shock by such finds in the city.

context and comparable incidents

In another incident in Berlin-Zehlendorf, a world war bomb must also be mitigated. This bomb, which weighs 500 kilograms, was discovered during street work. Here, too, residents within a radius of 500 meters have to leave their apartments. During the defusing, lessons are canceled in surrounding schools and local public transport must be adjusted.

This comparison shows that the defusing of World War II bombs is a recurring problem in German cities, whereby numerous security measures have to be taken to protect the population.