Residents out of Dresden's downtown for bomb disarmament during WWII
In the heart of Europe, cities like Cologne and Dresden continue to bear the scars of World War II. The recent evacuation of over 20,000 people in Cologne and the collapse of the Carola Bridge in Dresden are stark reminders of this historical legacy.
In June 2024, Cologne faced its biggest evacuation operation since the end of the war due to the discovery of three unexploded World War II bombs. One such bomb, weighing 250 kilograms, was found to be British-made. This is not a new issue for Cologne, as the city remains littered with remnants from the war. Similar incidents have also occurred in Dresden.
Dresden, known as the "Florence on the Elbe" for its rich Baroque and Rococo architecture, has a complex history. Founded as a Slav village called Drezdzany, it was later divided into an Old Town and New Town. The city has been devastated multiple times, including a near-total destruction during World War II bombing raids. Despite this, the historic center, including the famous Frauenkirche, has been painstakingly rebuilt.
The Carola Bridge, one of Dresden's main Elbe river crossings, partly collapsed in September 2024. The affected area includes the Frauenkirche and several hotels. The collapse is likely due to the presence of unexploded ordnance, a common issue during construction work in Germany. As a result, the entire Carola Bridge structure is due to be demolished by October.
The presence of unexploded bombs continues to pose a threat to infrastructure and public safety in Germany. In January 2024, another undetonated ordnance was discovered near the Carola Bridge, leading to the evacuation of approximately 17,000 people in the eastern German city. This incident is not isolated, as unexploded ordnance has been a common issue during construction work in Germany.
These events illustrate the complex blend of historic grandeur, wartime tragedy, industrial significance, and cultural revival that characterises cities like Cologne and Dresden. The ongoing discoveries of unexploded bombs serve as a stark reminder of the past, while the challenges faced in maintaining and rebuilding infrastructure highlight the resilience of these cities.
- In June 2024, the politics of dealing with World-War-II-era bomb disposal came to the forefront again in Cologne, as the city faced its biggest evacuation operation since the end of the war due to the discovery of unexploded ordnance.
- In the general news of the same year, Dresden grappled with the collapse of the Carola Bridge, an incident that was likely due to the presence of unexploded World War II bombs, highlighting the ongoing threat these relics pose to both infrastructure and public safety in Germany.
