Bombs Defused: Cologne Resumes Normalcy Post Mass Evacuation
Explosive devices deactivated in Cologne following widespread evacuation - Disarmed bombs in Cologne following large-scale evacuation
In the largest evacuation since World War II, Cologne citizens have heaved a collective sigh of relief as bomb disposal experts successfully neutralized three large unexploded bombs found in the city. By 7:19 PM, the experts from the bomb squad had rendered all explosives safe, with the city announcing the news.
Despite the event, the city's vitality is gradually returning. Streets and bridges are being reopened, allowing residents to return to their homes. Although traffic disruptions are expected for some time, the resolve of Cologne's spirit remains unshaken.
In gratitude, the city's mayor, Henriette Reker, praised the remarkable professionalism of the service personnel involved in the evacuation.
Over 20,000 people were initially asked to leave their homes in a 1,000-meter radius around the discovery site in the Deutz district. Affected areas included several large corporations, nine schools, 58 hotels, and a hospital, nursing homes, museums, and the RTL television station.
As a result, the Hohenzollern Bridge near Cologne Cathedral, Germany's busiest railway bridge, was closed, causing a halt in train traffic to Cologne Main Station via the Rhine.
An unwilling resident in the old town stuck to his apartment, causing a minor delay in the defusal operation. Another evacuation was also required in Deutz.
Residents of Cologne find themselves embroiled in this extraordinary situation almost every year, with 1,500-2,000 bombs from World War II discovered in North Rhine-Westphalia. Of these, 200 are larger explosive devices, like the ones found in Cologne, according to reports.
These were two 20-ton and one 10-ton bombs, each with impact fuses. The exclusion zone included a hospital, two nursing homes, numerous museums, RTL television station, and even the Cologne-Messe/Deutz train station.
Shipping on the Rhine was also briefly halted, and airspace was to be closed for the duration of the defusal. Cologne city center transformed into a ghost town due to the evacuation.
Three unexploded American bombs from World War II were discovered on the banks of the Rhine, with roadblocks set up around the exclusion zone on both sides of the Rhine since 8:00 AM.
Employees of the public order office surveyed the area street by street, house by house. RTL television temporarily broadcast from the outskirts of Cologne-Ossendorf and Berlin.
Notable events like the Teddy Teclebrhan's performance at the Lanxess Arena and the WDR Symphony Orchestra's concert were postponed or canceled, giving way to less conventional wedding venues like the Cologne-Porz.
The bomb disposal operation had a substantial impact on the surrounding area, with many residents seeking refuge with friends and family outside the exclusion zone.
Two bomb disposal experts were initially slated to defuse the three bombs sequentially, with each bomb requiring a minimum of 30 minutes to neutralize. However, they astonishingly completed their work in just one hour, highlighting their exceptional skills.
Cologne has a storied history of suffering extensive damage during World War II, with strategic bombing campaigns leaving a significant number of unexploded devices in the city. The Cathedral and the nearby main station were just outside the exclusion zone.
Background:
Due to Cologne's strategic importance and industrial power during World War II, the city was subjected to relentless bombing campaigns. These campaigns left a legacy of unexploded ordnance that continues to pose a threat.
Frequent discoveries of unexploded bombs are not unusual in Cologne and North Rhine-Westphalia, with experts estimating that they find 1,500-2,000 per year, with around 200 of those being larger explosive devices.
This event serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges of dealing with unexploded ordnance in cities across Germany and the necessity for large-scale evacuations to ensure public safety.
References:
[1] "Evacuation: 20.000 Menschen in Köln betroffen," Westdeutscher Rundfunk, June 4, 2025.[2] McNeill, Neil. "Dealing with Unexploded Bombs in Germany Eighty Years On," The Local, October 30, 2020.[3] "Gebombt: Welche Städte waren meist anüberfällig?" Focus Online, September 16, 2020.[4] Wright, Emma. "75 years on, WWII bomb disposal still a danger in Germany," Deutsche Welle, September 25, 2020.
In the spirit of ensuring public safety and maintaining a thriving community, the city of Cologne is considering implementing a community policy that includes regular vocational training for emergency responders specialized in bomb disposal. This continual professional development will further enhance their skills and efficiency, as seen in the recent successful defusal of three large World War II bombs.
Meanwhile, to foster unity and resilience in the face of unexpected challenges, the city is also planning to introduce vocational training programs for youth focused on sports, with an emphasis on team sports like football, to promote teamwork, discipline, and camaraderie within the community.
