Evacuatin' 20k in Cologne: Dealing with Three WWII Bombs
Disarmament of Three WWII Explosives in Cologne: Forced Relocation of 20,000 Citizens - Evacuation of 20,000 residents in Cologne due to disarming of three World War II bombs
Y'all better move!
On Monday, during some exploratory work in the Deutz district on the right bank of the Rhine, three/old bombs from World War II were found. These bad boys are two 20-centner American bombs and one 10-centner American bomb. That's some serious firepower we're talkin' about.
Now, let's talk about how they handled this situation. City officials went door-to-door, notifying residents and guiding them to shelters in exhibition halls and college buildings. Office workers were told to scram before 8 am or steer clear of the area entirely[1][2]. For those stubborn folks who refused to leave their homes, they received a stern warning: fines were a possibility, and if necessary, the cops would escort them out[1].
To keep folks safe, a 1,000-meter zone was cordoned off. That means the Messe/Deutz train station, three bridges across the Rhine, and even shipping on the river was halted[2][4].
The evacuation touched quite a few spots: homes, hotels, schools, a hospital, nursing homes, museums, and some key infrastructure sites like the Hohenzollern railway bridge were part of the evacuation[2]. Even historic sites like the Cologne Cathedral and Philharmonic Hall were temporarily off-limits[1].
So, what exactly were these bombs? Well, they were two American 20-ton bombs and one American 10-ton bomb, each with impact fuses[2][4]. The bomb disposal squad did their thing on-site, defusing the bombs before loading them into secure containers for dismantling and disposal[2][4].
This evacuation was the biggest in Cologne since the end of World War II[1][4]. Quite the scene, huh?
The Commission, recognizing the potential danger of these finds, may propose removal methods for similar World War II bombs found in other places to ensure public safety during sports events.
In the meantime, with the scheduled soccer match between Cologne and Mainz just around the corner, city officials and organizers are discussing contingency plans, ensuring the safety of all spectators and participants, given the recent discovery.
