Cologne in a state of emergency: 20,000 people evacuated due to bomb finds!

Cologne in a state of emergency: 20,000 people evacuated due to bomb finds!

Köln-Deutz, Deutschland - Today, Cologne is in the alarm state after three World War II bombs were discovered in the Deutz district. These finds have led to the greatest evacuation since 1945, in which over 20,000 people had to be prescribed from their apartments. The evacuation measures began at 8 a.m. on Wednesday morning and extends over a radius of 1,000 meters around the sites, such as [Vol.at] (https://www.vol.at/koeln-raeumt-dienstadt-20-000-men-muessen-bombbenfunden-wohnungen- Verliden/9452753). 

The affected areas include large parts of the old town of Cologne and the shopping zone, including 58 hotels, nine schools, the Eduardus Hospital, several museums as well as urban facilities such as the town hall and the Lanxess Arena. Cologne Messe/Deutz train station was also blocked, which results in significant impairments in long-distance and local transport. Trains that run over the Hohenzollernbrücke do not keep in Cologne-Deutz, while shipping on the Rhine and the airspace are temporarily closed, tagenschau.de. 

evacuation measures and affected institutions

The defusing of the bombs, which includes two 20-centers and a 10-center bomb with dangerous surcharge, is planned for Wednesday evening at around 6 p.m., depending on the complete evacuation. In order to avoid delays, the city of Cologne asks those affected for cooperation. For evacuated residents, emergency shelters were set up in the exhibition hall 10.1 and in the Humboldtstraße vocational college.

The evacuation also affects numerous planned events. A concert by the WDR symphony orchestra in the Philharmonie was canceled, and an appearance by the comedian Tedros "Teddy" Teclebrhan in the Lanxess Arena was postponed to Sunday. Up to 15 weddings planned in the historic town hall must be moved to Porz. RTL Germany moved live broadcasts to Berlin, while the employees work in the mobile office, so wdr.de. 

traffic impairments and safety precautions

The effects on traffic are enormous. The blocked Rheinbrücken include the Hohenzollern, Deutzer and Severinsbrücke. The city traffic of the Cologne traffic companies is also affected: several tram lines and bus lines are limited or are completely out. The KVB recommends avoiding the inner city area. In addition, it should be noted that pets should not be brought into the emergency accommodation.

Security has top priority, which is why the police strike the evacuation. People who do not leave the evacuation area voluntarily have to expect a forced eviction. The citizens' phone is available for information under the numbers 0221/221-0 or 115.

The find of inactive bombs is not unusual in North Rhine-Westphalia. Every year between 1,500 and 2,000 World War II bombs are discovered, of which around 200 are in the weight class of the current finds. The dangerousness of the duds depends on the type of detonator, with over 98 percent of all bombs have a service bundle, as Kai Kenschenswski, head of the ordnance disposal, explains. The current finds are also bombs with surcharges, which minimizes the risk of uncontrolled detonation over time.