Explosive device discovered at VfL Bochum training facility
In the heart of Bochum, Germany, a World War II bomb, known as a 5-centner English "blindganger," has been discovered near the training ground of VfL Bochum at Stadionring. This unexpected discovery has led to a series of safety measures and disruptions in the city.
The defusing operation, scheduled to take place between 7 pm and 7:30 pm, will affect several areas, including two parking lots, a casino, and the Starlight Express, resulting in the cancellation of today's performance. The nearby St. Josef-Hospital and the LWL-University Hospital have not been affected by the evacuation.
Authorities have enacted large-scale safety measures, typically seen when WWII bombs are discovered in German cities. These measures include evacuations of residents within a defined radius, traffic restrictions or road closures, and scheduled bomb disposal operations by bomb squads. In this case, approximately 100 residents within a 250-meter radius from the bomb site must evacuate their apartments and houses, including certain streets and the Moxy Hotel and H+ Hotel.
The evacuation process began no earlier than 4:30 pm, and as of now, the evacuation of the Moxy Hotel, Starlight Express, and the parking lots has been completed. All residents and hotel guests can return to their homes once the defusing operation is over.
A significant traffic disruption is expected due to the closure of the A40 in both directions between Bochum-Zentrum and Bochum-Harpen. The A40 will be closed in the area of the Stadion/Ruhrcongress exit shortly before the defusing, causing traffic disruptions around the Stadionring. The road will remain closed between 7 pm and 7:30 pm during the defusing operation.
A care centre for evacuated people will be set up at the Hilderegardisschule at Klinikstraße 1. For the latest official information, local government, police announcements, or reliable news sources for Bochum would be the best references.
As of the time of writing, the defusing operation has begun, and the area around the discovery site has been cordoned off extensively at 6 pm. The World War II bomb has now been successfully defused, ensuring the safety of the city and its residents. It is recommended to avoid the area until further notice.
Despite the disruption caused by the evacuation of the Starlight Express, Moxy Hotel, and several parking lots, football training at VfL Bochum's Stadionring will not be affected, as the bomb site is not located within the training ground. People eager to catch a game of football might find an opportunity to watch a match, given the safety measures in place around the discovered World War II bomb.
