Thousands Evacuated as World War II Bombs Discovered in Cologne, Germany
Cologne, Germany – The city of Cologne was thrown into a state of emergency on Wednesday as authorities ordered the evacuation of thousands of residents after the discovery of three World War II-era American bombs during construction work.
The three bombs, each equipped with impact fuses, were uncovered on Monday in the Deutz district, a commercial and residential area on the east bank of the Rhine River. Officials immediately recognized the grave threat posed by the unexploded ordnance and initiated the evacuation process.
According to local reports, around 10,000 people were affected by the evacuation order, which covered a radius of roughly 500 meters around the bomb sites. Residents were advised to leave their homes and seek shelter with family or friends or in designated emergency centers set up by the authorities.
The discovery of the bombs, which are believed to date back to the Allied bombing campaigns of World War II, underscores the ongoing challenges faced by German cities in dealing with the legacy of the conflict. It is not uncommon for unexploded munitions to be unearthed during construction or other ground excavation work, often forcing the evacuation of nearby areas as a safety precaution.
Bomb disposal experts from the German military were immediately dispatched to the scene to assess the situation and devise a plan for the safe removal and detonation of the explosives. The operation was expected to take several hours, during which time the affected neighborhoods remained empty as a precautionary measure.
Cologne, a major metropolitan area with a population of over 1 million, has experienced its fair share of World War II-related discoveries over the years. In 2019, the city was forced to evacuate thousands of residents after the discovery of a 500-pound British bomb, a common occurrence in a city that was heavily bombed during the war.
The latest incident serves as a sobering reminder of the lasting impact of the conflict and the ongoing need for vigilance and preparedness in German cities as they continue to confront the ghosts of the past.
