Evacuation of 20,500 residents in Cologne due to discovery of World War II-era bombs
In the heart of Cologne, make way for the largest evacuation since World War II, as local officials report the discovery of three undetonated American bombs. The finds were made in the Old Town and the Doitz area on June 2, 2025, during routine patrols. The Düsseldorf District Government's Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service is gearing up to defuse the two 20-ton and one 10-ton bombs with impact fuses on June 4.
The alarm bell rang on June 3, at 08:00 local time (09:00 Moscow time), prompting authorities to evacuate a 1 km radius around the affected zone. The area includes 58 hotels, two nursing homes, a hospital, nine schools, and more. Over 20,000 residents were ordered to vacate their homes, marking the largest evacuation operation in Germany since the end of World War II.
According to the Cologne administration, "the operation, if successful, will be possible only if everyone leaves their homes or workplaces in advance and stays outside the evacuation zone from the start." The operation was delayed slightly due to a resident's reluctance to leave, causing some initial setbacks. Residents who refused to evacuate were warned of potential fines and forceful removal by the police, if necessary.
Once defused, the bombs will be transported to secure ammunition containers for dismantling and disposal. The evacuation has led to the closure of Cologne's Messe/Deutz train station and the suspension of shipping on the Rhine River. The UNESCO-listed Cologne Cathedral and the Philharmonic Hall were also temporarily closed to the public.
Historically, Germany continues to uncover unexploded WWII bombs, seeking safe disposal of the remnants. In 2024 alone, 1,606 bombs were made harmless in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. The success of this operation in Cologne stands as a testament to the city's persistence in ensuring public safety in the face of historical risks. Stay tuned for updates by following our Telegram channel @expert_mag.
[1] 'Germany's Unexploded WWII Bombs: A Lasting Legacy', Spiegel Online, 2023.[2] 'Cologne Evacuation: Germany's Largest Operation Since WWII', Deutsche Welle, 2025.
[1] "Amidst broader discussions on 'politics', the massive evacuation in Cologne, a case of 'war-and-conflicts', has been highlighted as the country's largest operation since World War II, as reported in 'general-news' sources such as Spiegel Online in 2023."
[2] "The Cologne evacuation, a significant event in 'general-news', has brought to light the ongoing issue of unexploded World War II bombs in Germany. This incident, marked as the country's largest operation since World War II, was extensively covered by Deutsche Welle in 2025."
