Cologne to the ghost city: 20,000 people in historical evacuation!

Cologne to the ghost city: 20,000 people in historical evacuation!

Köln, Deutschland - On June 4, 2025, Cologne city center experienced the largest evacuation campaign since the end of the Second World War. Due to the defusing of three American bombs, which were found in Deutz during the Second World War, more than 20,000 people had to leave their apartments. The safety radius around the site amounts to 1,000 meters, which led to a far -reaching blocking and decommissioning of numerous facilities. These measures were necessary after the duddowners were discovered on Monday, June 2, including two 20-century bombs and a 10-hundredweight bomb, all provided with service lifts and designed to detonate if they are damaged.

At 8 a.m., the evacuation measures started, which were initially delayed by a resistance from a resident in the old town. The responsible authorities were forced to take coercive measures in order to bring the person out of their apartment. The evacuation met numerous people in the region, including residents, but also working people who work in the city center.

effects on infrastructure and events

The evacuation zone not only includes residential areas, but also important facilities such as the Eduardus Hospital, two old people's and nursing homes, numerous museums and the Cologne Messe/Deutz station. All stops for tram lines 1, 7 and 9 are affected, as are the musical dome and the city administration. The Hohenzollernbrücke, Deutzer and Severinsbrücke were closed to traffic, and Cologne Central Station will act as a head station during the defusing. In addition, shipping on the Rhine and the airspace over the city is temporarily shut down. Restrictions in local public transport are also to be expected, whereby passengers are advised to avoid the city center.

The implementation of the defusing could take at least half an hour per bomb unless complications occur. The Düsseldorf district government's ordnance disposal service is responsible for defusing. The first evacuation measures were initiated at 8 a.m. with a first ring of bell and a subsequent control by the regulatory office. In the afternoon hours, the last evacuation cycles were announced to ensure that nobody remains in the restricted area.

preparations for the evacuated

For the people concerned, collection points and shuttle services were set up in order to accept those who have no private accommodation. The exhibition hall 10.1 and the Humboldtstraße vocational college serve as contact points. In addition, local businesses have provided offered support for evacuated. It is important to note that pets may not be taken into the contact points. ’

The evacuation also represented a challenge for planned events-the appearance of the comedian Tedros "Teddy" Teplebrhan and a concert by the WDR symphony orchestra had to be canceled or laid, while wedding ceremonies were moved from the historical town hall to Porz. RTL Germany temporarily shifted its live broadcasts to Berlin and no longer sends out of the Cologne studio, which is located in the restricted zone.

annually in North Rhine-Westphalia up to 2,000 bombs from the Second World War are found, many of which represent a significant danger. The most recent event once again shows that the consequences of the historical war are still noticeable today, especially in cities like Cologne, which were among the strongest bombers during the war. Despite the dramatic circumstances, the Cologne cathedral remains accessible to tourists and residents because it is just outside the restricted zone.

For more information and developments, a citizens' phone is available at 0221/221-0 or 115, while reports on the situation by WDR are currently being started on television and other local media.

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