Current Situation in Cologne
Intense Traffic Disruption in Cologne's Surrounding Areas and Central Districts
We're covering the ongoing bomb disposal operation taking place in Cologne, Germany. The city is grappling with the largest evacuation since World War II, caused by the discovery of three unexploded WWII bombs. The situation is ever-evolving, and we'll bring you the latest updates.
Rush Hour Chaos
Streets are congested, and trains are ending prematurely as the defusing operations progress, leading to traffic jams on multiple streets during rush hour. Train traffic over the Hohenzollern Bridge, adjacent to the main station, has ceased. Regional trains are no longer running through the evacuation zone, but the main station remains operational, albeit with significant restrictions.
Program Shifts in Berlin
Due to the planned bomb disposal in Cologne-Deutz, RTL is moving several shows to its capital studio in Berlin as a precaution. The shows "Punkt 6", "Punkt 7", "Punkt 8", and "Punkt 12" are affected, aiming to ensure smooth program flow and avoid potential disruptions.
Stubborn Refusal to Evacuate
The second doorbell pass is underway, but a person in the old town is stubbornly refusing evacuation, causing a delay in the scheduled release for bomb disposal. Municipal authority, police, and fire department have initiated coercive measures against the recalcitrant individual.
Bars and Beverages
Some Cologne breweries opened their doors this morning to provide evacuees with a temporary refuge during the bomb disposal. However, the expected rush did not materialize, leaving the city center reminiscent of pandemic lockdowns. Despite the unusual circumstances, some patrons chose to "drink away the bomb," according to a guest.
Resistance Encountered
There were reported incidents of resistance, with a cyclist attempting to break through a barrier and spitting at a deployment force in Kalk, and a person refusing to leave their residence in Nord-Süd-Fahrt.
Smooth Evacuation
The evacuation is proceeding smoothly, according to Katja Reuter from the Cologne Press Office. Nevertheless, ambulance transports are still being made to aid those in need who were not initially accounted for, and a drone is deployed by the fire department to search for people in the evacuation area.
Collection Points and Shelters
Two collection points have been established: one at Berufskolleg Humboldtstraße for left-bank residents, and another at the trade fair for right-bank residents. Over 150 people have gathered at the collection points during lunchtime, with medical care and a place to rest made available.
Empty Streets and Closed Businesses
The empty desolate streets and closed businesses of the right-bank quarter of Deutz offer an eerie reminder of the city's temporary desertion as residents drove to family, friends, or elsewhere outside the restricted zone, unsure when they'd be able to return.
Response from Authorities and Services
The head of the Cologne municipal authority, Ralf Mayer, stated that the population has cooperated well during the evacuation, with only two significant incidents where resistance was encountered. The German Railways anticipate "significant restrictions in regional and long-distance traffic in North Rhine-Westphalia," with Cologne Central Station not being in the exclusion zone, but the Hohenzollern Bridge leading to it temporarily closed, affecting various train services. Public transportation in Cologne faces significant disruptions, and Rhine shipping must also be paused.
[1] ntv.de, [2] mdi/dpa/AFP, [3] Bild.de, [4] AFP.com, [5] Deutsche Welle.
- The ongoing political situation in Cologne, Germany is dominated by the evacuation due to the bomb disposal operation, which has also interfered with local general-news and crime-and-justice reports, such as the resistance encounters during the evacuation process.
- In wake of the large-scale evacuation, various community and employment policies are being implemented in Cologne, notably the shifts in program schedules by RTL in Berlin, as well as the efforts to accommodate evacuees in bars and collection points, which potentially affect employment policy in these establishments.
