Live Update: The Mass Evacuation in Cologne - The Largest Since World War II
Evacuation operations are being carried out in Cologne at the moment.
Get ready for the details on today's major event in Cologne! A massive evacuation is underway, the largest since the city's post-World War II days. Here's what's happening:
06:01 Cologne Center Turns Restricted ZoneThe city center is facing a significant disruption as a large part has been closed for bomb disposal operations. Approximately 20,000 residents must evacuate a 1,000-meter radius around the bomb site. Checkpoints will be set up at 8 am to ensure all homes are vacated.
06:23 Which Areas Are Affected?The affected areas include numerous residences, hotels, schools, kindergartens, businesses, museums, and event venues. Three bridges over the Rhine must also close, while the Cologne-Deutz train station, City Hall, and its Deutz branch, a hospital, and two nursing homes are part of the evacuation plan. Fortunately, the Cologne Cathedral and the main train station lie outside the evacuation zone.
06:44 RTL Evacuates Building; Shows Adjust ScheduleRTL's headquarters in Cologne-Deutz is affected by the evacuation. They aim to broadcast live morning shows "Punkt 6" and "Punkt 7," while "Punkt 8" has been canceled. The entire building will be evacuated by 8 am, and employees will work from mobile offices when possible. Other shows will be pre-recorded to ensure smooth operation.
07:13 Rail Traffic Disrupted; Public Transport AffectedCologne Central Station is not within the exclusion zone, but the Hohenzollern Bridge, Germany's most frequently used railway bridge, is. This causes significant restrictions in long-distance and regional traffic in North Rhine-Westphalia, as well as closures for Cologne-Messe/Deutz station. The city anticipates severe disruptions to public transport and river traffic, requiring temporary cessation.
07:43 Ordnance Office Guards Bombs - Disposal Expected by 6 pmThree unexploded World War II bombs, including 20-ton and 10-ton American explosives, were discovered on Monday. The Ordnance Office is guarding the bomb sites on Deutz's riverside while waiting for the evacuation to clear before commencing the disposal process. The disposal is not expected to begin before 6 pm.
Stay tuned for updates as this situation develops!
A Glimpse into Cologne's Evacuation History
Since the end of World War II, Cologne has seen significant evacuations. A notable event took place on June 3, 2025, when three unexploded WWII bombs were discovered, triggering the largest evacuation since then. More details on this historic event can be found in our historical context section below.
Historical Context
The Mass Evacuation in Cologne was a major event that brought back echoes of WWII. Here's a brief overview of the 2025 evacuation:
- Timeline
- June 3, 2025: Unexploded World War II bombs, two 20-ton and one 10-ton American explosives, were discovered during road construction preparations.
- June 4, 2025: Evacuation preparations commenced, and the bombs were scheduled to be defused the following day.
- June 5, 2025: The evacuation took place, affecting over 20,000 residents. Due to a resident's refusal to evacuate, the bomb disposal operation was initially delayed. Once they left, the specialists successfully defused the bombs within an hour.
- Impacts -Transport: The evacuation included homes, hotels, schools, a hospital, nursing homes, and Messe/Deutz train station. The Hohenzollern railway bridge and shipping on the Rhine River were also impacted, with no reported disruptions to air travel.
-Cultural Events: While the bomb disposal itself didn't directly affect ongoing cultural events, the city's usual activities were temporarily halted due to the evacuation.
-News Broadcasts: CNN, DW News, and CBS News reported extensively on the evacuation and successful defusing of the bombs. Media highlighted the scale of the evacuation and its significance since WWII.
The ongoing massive evacuation in Cologne brings to light the city's carefully crafted community and employment policies. Given the scale of the modern evacuation, local officials may need to reassess these policies to ensure they can accommodate future emergencies. Interestingly, a historic precedent occurred on June 3, 2025, when the largest evacuation since World War II took place, as a result of unexploded WWII bombs. This event, often showcased as a general-news topic, showcases the complex interplay between politics, community safety, and daily life in Cologne.
