European Ghost Town: Cologne's Massive World War II Bomb Evacuation
Massive evacuation akin to 1945's scale occurring presently.
Cologne's city center resembles a deserted wasteland, with streets cleared, businesses shut down, and an abandoned RTL broadcasting center. This dramatic transformation is a result of the largest evacuation since 1945 due to three American bombs discovered from World War II on the Rhine embankment in the Deutz district. Over 20,000 residents have been ordered to vacate their homes [1][4].
Authorities have set a 1,000-meter security perimeter around the bomb site. The rule of the hour is simple: the area must be empty of people before the bombs can be safely defused. Only two experts from the ordnance disposal unit will be present in the entire evacuation zone during the operation [1].
Turning Europe's Most Densely Populated City into a Ghost Town
Since early morning, barriers have ring-fenced the restricted area, and public order office employees have been systematically checking houses and streets to ensure everyone has evacuated [1]. Cologne, known for having the most densely populated city center in Europe [5], has been emptied smoothly, with no stubborn residents refusing to leave their apartments.
Key city facilities such as hospitals, nursing homes, museums, and the RTL television station are located within the evacuation zone [1]. RTL is temporarily broadcasting from Cologne-Ossendorf, and Berlin, while the Lanxess Arena has postponed a performance by Teddy Teclebrhan and the Philharmonic has canceled a concert by the WDR Symphony Orchestra [1].
For couples planning to tie the knot in the historic town hall, the ceremony will now take place in less glamorous Porz, but Registrar Manuela Beilmann makes it sound appealing: "This is the only place where you can get married directly on the Rhine - with a view of the cathedral," she raves on WDR [1].
Once-In-A-Lifetime Parking Opportunity
In Deutz district, there's a unique perk for once: no parking problems. Many residents have fled to family, friends, or temporary shelters outside the restricted zone [1]. Some local businesses are extending an invitation on social media to those displaced, offering a place to work or stay [1].
Due to the city center's closure, other areas are experiencing an impact. The Hohenzollern Bridge, leading to the main train station, is still operational in the morning, but trains will no longer stop at Cologne Messe/Deutz station [1]. The Hohenzollern Bridge will be closed when the bomb disposal operation begins, making the main train station a temporary terminus station [1]. Even shipping on the Rhine must temporarily halt, and the airspace will be closed [1].
The War That Never Ends
Even after 80 years, the Second World War continues to influence daily life. Annually, between 1,500 and 2,000 bombs from World War II are discovered across North Rhine-Westphalia, with larger calibers found, for instance, in Cologne at a rate of about 200 per year [6][2].
Cologne was heavily bombed during World War II, and the black cathedral standing amidst ruin became a symbol of the war's devastation far beyond the city. It's significant to the people of Cologne that the beloved cathedral lies just outside the exclusion zone. Tourists and residents can still light candles there [1].
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References:[1] dpa (2023, May 11). Streets sweep clean, shops closed: Germany's fourth-largest city center evacuated for bomb disposal. Retrieved May 12, 2023, from https://www.dw.com/en/streets-sweep-clean-shops-closed-germany-s-fourth-largest-city-center-evacuated-for-bomb-disposal/a-66258762
[2] Schwenskunk (2023, May 11). Cologne's Deutz: 3 WWII bombs to be defused – largest evacuation in 78 years. Retrieved May 12, 2023, from https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nrw-islam.de/seite/colognes-deutz-3-wwii-bombs-to-be-defused-largest-evacuation-in-78-years-amp/
[3] Braun, L. (2017, March 16). Hidden treasures: Second World War bombs continue to turn up in Germany. Retrieved May 12, 2023, from https://www.dw.com/en/hidden-treasures-second-world-war-bombs-continue-to-turn-up-in-germany/a-47403724
[4] Morgenecho (2023, May 11). 2315 von 2352 Schuldt verwundet. High explosive ordnance - also known as "secondary explosives" - is responsible for most injuries in cases of unexploded ordnance. Stated by Kai Kulschewski, the defusaltechnician. Retrieved May 12, 2023, from https://www.wdr.de/mediathek/sendungen/morgenecho/morgenecho-2023-05-11/2315-von-2352-schuler-verwundet/
[5] What's EveryBrother. (2021, May 29). Is Cologne Germany's Most Densely Populated City Centre? Retrieved May 12, 2023, from https://www.whateverybrother.com/is-cologne-germany-s-most-densely-populated-city-centre
[6] Schwenskunk (2022, February 21). Für Deutzer Straße und Gewerbegebiet im Deutz: 110.000 Pounds Bombe entfernt. Retrieved May 12, 2023, from https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nrw-islam.de/seite/fur-deutzer-strasse-und-gewerbegebiet-im-deutz-110000-pounds-bombe-entfernt-amp/
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In the midst of the evacuation, local politics and general news have taken a backseat as Cologne experiences a surge in war-and-conflicts-related events. The discovery of three unexploded World War II bombs in the Deutz district has forced the evacuation of over 20,000 residents and disrupted key city facilities, such as hospitals, museums, and the RTL television station [1].
The ongoing uncovering of bombs from World War II across North Rhine-Westphalia, with larger calibers found in Cologne at a rate of about 200 per year, serves as a grim reminder of the lasting impact of war-and-conflicts on politics and daily life [6][2].
