Thousands of residents evacuated from Dresden's city core due to a World War II bomb disarmament operation
Germany's Unexploded World War II Bombs Continue to Pose a Threat
In a recent development, large parts of Dresden, Germany, were evacuated in early August 2025 due to the discovery of an unexploded World War II bomb. This British-made bomb, weighing approximately 250 kilograms (550 pounds), was found during clearance work near the Carola Bridge, an important Elbe river crossing that had partially collapsed in September 2024 and was scheduled for demolition by October 2025.
The Carola Bridge incident is reminiscent of a similar incident that occurred in Cologne in June 2025. In Cologne, multiple large American bombs were discovered, leading to a massive evacuation operation that marked the biggest such operation in the city since the end of the war. Over 20,000 people were evacuated, including residents from hospitals, two old people's homes, nine schools, and a TV studio.
The evacuation areas in both cities included culturally significant sites. In Dresden, the Frauenkirche, a church painstakingly rebuilt brick-by-brick after its destruction during the war, was part of the affected area. Several hotels were also located in the affected area. In Cologne, the hospitals, old people's homes, schools, and TV studio were all part of the evacuation zone.
Both incidents occurred 80 years after the end of the war, highlighting that even after decades, Germany remains littered with unexploded ordnance from World War II, often uncovered during construction or clearance activities. These events underscore the long-lasting legacy of World War II bombing campaigns on German cities and the ongoing challenges of safely managing unexploded munitions found beneath urban areas.
The collapse of the Carola Bridge in Dresden and the subsequent discovery of the undetonated ordnance resulted in a large evacuation. Around 17,000 residents had to leave their homes temporarily as experts worked to defuse the bomb on site due to its active detonator. The entire Carola Bridge structure is due to be demolished by October.
In a related development, another undetonated ordnance was discovered near the Carola Bridge in January 2024. The bomb found in Cologne is British-made and weighs 250 kilograms, according to city authorities.
These incidents serve as a stark reminder of the dangers that still lurk beneath the surface of German cities, decades after the end of the war. As construction and clearance activities continue, it is likely that more unexploded ordnance will be uncovered, posing ongoing challenges for city authorities and residents alike.
[1] [Link to source 1] [2] [Link to source 2] [3] [Link to source 3] [4] [Link to source 4] [5] [Link to source 5]
- Although it's been eight decades since the end of World War II, political discussions in Germany continue to revolve around the safe clearance of unexploded ordnance, as evidenced by recent issues involving bombs found beneath both the Carola Bridge in Dresden and multiple locations in Cologne.
- The general news about the unexploded bombs in Dresden and Cologne not only disrupt daily activities and cause evacuations but also raise concerns about the long-term impact on German infrastructure, highlighting the need for ongoing efforts in politics to manage this lingering issue.
