Breaking News: Cologne Enters Largest Evacuation Zone Since World War II!
Front Door Unyielding: No Rejections Reported at Office Entrance Yet
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In Cologne, authorities are going door-to-door, checking every apartment as part of a massive evacuation due to the discovery of three unexploded U.S. bombs from World War II. As of now, cooperation from residents has been outstanding, with noholdouts refusing to leave their homes so far.
🕒 11:47 Evacuation #1 World War II Era: No Refusers at Doorsteps Yet
Although this is the largest evacuation the city of Cologne has faced since the end of World War II, it only ranks fifth in terms of the number of evacuated individuals nationwide according to available data. Notable examples include Frankfurt am Main (over 60,000 people in 2017), Augsburg (over 50,000 in 2016), and Hannover (over 50,000 in 2017). Koblenz came close with around 45,000 residents evacuated in 2011.
🕒 10:43 Eduardus Hospital Patient TransfersAmbulances are transferring remaining patients from the Eduardus Hospital in Deutz to other hospitals in Cologne. TheMedical Director assures that everything is under control and running according to plan, with the fire department working closely to facilitate the transfers.
🕒 10:10 RTL Studios Evacuated Mid-BroadcastThe RTL studios, located within the evacuation zone, had to be evacuated during live broadcast. Moderators Vanessa Civiello and Jan Malte Andresen continued to host until the very last second, even cutting off reporter Jan Heikrodt.
🕒 9:02 Free Drinks and Wi-Fi for Evacuees at Gaffel am DomWith a friendly gesture, the Gaffel am Dom brewery in the heart of Cologne is offering free Wi-Fi and a welcome drink to evacuees. The first 100 visitors will take advantage of this offer, starting at 10am.
🕒 9:34 Video: Nationwide Impact of Cologne Bomb DisposalThe evacuation in Cologne caused disruptions to rail traffic across Germany, affecting important routes that pass over the Rhine. Reporter Jan Heikrodt from ntv provides further insights into the reasons behind these nationwide impacts.
🕒 8:31 Evacuation Underway Since 8amThe massive evacuation in Cologne is underway, under the close supervision of bomb disposal experts. Roadblocks have been erected in the city center, and officials are currently checking if all apartments are empty. The duration of this process is still unclear, as it depends on the outcome of these checks, the cooperation of the public, and when no one is left in the affected area.
🕒 8:19 Impact on Cultural SceneDue to the evacuation, several museums and cultural sights, like the Museum Ludwig, the Wallraf-Richartz Museum, and the Musical Dome, are restricted. A performance by comedian Tedros "Teddy" Teclebrhan, originally scheduled for the Lanxess Arena, has been rescheduled for Sunday. The Philharmonic has canceled a concert of the WDR Symphony Orchestra for the evening.
🕒 7:43 Ordnungsamt Guards Bombs - Disposal Not Until EveningThe unexploded bombs, discovered on Monday during excavation work, are located on the Deutz riverbank. The Ordnungsamt is currently guarding the cordoned-off area, with the disposal teams yet to begin work. Residents must first be evacuated from the cordoned-off zone before disposal can commence, with an expected start time of no earlier than 6pm.
🕒 7:13 Significant Disruptions in Rail and Public TransportRail traffic in North Rhine-Westphalia is experiencing significant disruptions due to the closure of the Hohenzollern Bridge leading to the Cologne main station. The Cologne-Messe/Deutz station is also closed, along with three bridges over the Rhine. Multiple schools, kindergartens, companies, and event venues are among the affected areas.
🕒 6:44 RTL Evacuates Building and Operates from Mobile OfficesThe headquarters of RTL in Cologne-Deutz is affected by the evacuation, forcing the station to cancel "Punkt 8". The building will be fully evacuated by 8am, with employees working from mobile offices for the remainder of the day. Shows "Punkt 12", "RTL Aktuell", and the "RTL Nachtjournal" will be broadcast from the capital studio in Berlin, while the daily news program of ntv will continue production in Cologne-Ossendorf.
🕒 6:23 Affected Areas: Rhine, Old Town, and MoreIn addition to the Rhine and the old town, several schools, kindergartens, companies, and event venues are affected by the evacuation. The Rhine, the Cologne old town, several schools and kindergartens, companies, event venues, three bridges over the Rhine, the Cologne-Messe/Deutz station, the city hall on the Deutz side, a hospital, and two care and retirement homes are included in this list. The Cologne cathedral and main station, while part of Cologne, remain just outside the affected area.
🕒 6:01 City Center Becomes a Restricted ZoneEntering one of the largest evacuations in recent years, a significant part of the city center in Cologne is now off-limits, allowing bombsite experts to defuse three American World War II bombs found during road construction. An estimated 20,000 people must leave their homes in a 1,000-meter radius around the discovery site, with roadblocks scheduled to be set up at 8am and checks beginning to ensure everyone has left their homes.
- In the midst of this crisis, the Gaffel am Dom brewery in the heart of Cologne is offering a glimmer of comfort to evacuees, providing free Wi-Fi and a welcome drink to the first 100 visitors, starting at 10am.
- Despite the suspense and danger that the evacuation brings, entertainment continues unabated as comedian Tedros "Teddy" Teclebrhan rescheduled his performance, originally scheduled for the Lanxess Arena, for Sunday.
- Amidst this historical event, vocational training centers in the city could potentially offer classes on disaster response and evacuation procedures, aiding the community in preparing for crises and ensuring public safety in the future.
