State of emergency in Cologne: 20,000 people evacuated due to bombing!

State of emergency in Cologne: 20,000 people evacuated due to bombing!

Köln, Deutschland - in Cologne there was an extraordinary state of emergency today. Three American World War II bombs were discovered in the Deutz district, which has triggered the largest evacuation campaign in the city since 1945. Around 20,000 people have to move out of their apartments in the city center, while the city reacts with closures and security measures. The evacuations started at 8 a.m. this morning, and it is expected to take many hours before the bombs are defused. The danger zone extends over a radius of 1000 meters around the site in terms of large parts of Cologne city center, both on the right and left of the Rhine. Numerous institutions, including educational institutions, old people's homes and large parts of the popular shopping streets, are particularly affected. Especially regions such as the old town, where there are numerous museums and restaurants, have to deal with the challenges of the closures.

rumors about the sudden end of events quickly made the round. A concert by the WDR symphony orchestra in the Philharmonie was canceled, and the appearance of comedian Tedros "Teddy" Teclebrhan in the Lanxess-Arena also had to be postponed. No fewer than 15 weddings in the historic town hall were moved to Porz. Many couples suddenly faced the challenge to change their plans at short notice. The RTL team has shifted its live broadcasts to Berlin and is now working in the mobile office, while the public is supplied with information on 0221/221-0 or 115 via a citizens' phone.

closures and safety precautions

Deutsche Bahn has to deal with considerable restrictions in local and long-distance transport today. The stop in Cologne Deutz/Tief is out and trains have to be diverted. The Hohenzollern Bridge remains open during the defusing, but this will affect the accessibility of the Cologne main station. Transport companies such as the Cologne Verkehrsbetriebe (KVB) have taken measures that have an impact on the light rail lines and numerous bus lines. The recommendation of the authorities to avoid the city center should urgently be considered, both for the security of the citizens and for maintaining the urgently needed order.

The find itself included two American 20-centers bombs and a 10-hundredthers bomb, all with surcharges. Such unexplods are a well-known problem in North Rhine-Westphalia, where between 1500 and 2000 bombs are found annually. About 200 of them are of great explosive power. However, a defusing of this kind in a densely populated city center is an unusual event, which is why the security of the population has a top priority. The defusing can only take place when the entire area is deserted, which is a complex challenge in such a large evacuation.

preparation for the evacuation

The city of Cologne has set up two central contact points to offer the evacuated a certain relief. These are located in exhibition hall 10.1 on the right side of the Rhine and in the vocational college on Humboldtstrasse on the left side of the Rhine. There are seating, drinks and sanitary facilities available in these facilities. Paramedics and psychosocial care are also on site to support people in this tense Situation.

The defusing of such a bomb is always a sensitive undertaking, and the city administration has assured that it is constantly informing the citizens about the progress of the measures about their website and social media. This information is particularly important because the uncertainty about the time of defusing and the subsequent cancellation of the closures affects not only the planning of emergency services, but also the remaining residents and business owners.

In Cologne, the events remain exciting, and all eyes are directed at the places that are responsible for the safety of people. During these traffic failures and closures, the old saying "In peace is the strength" proves to be advisable. Cologne -based company has had to deal with such extreme situations since 1945, and today it is once more evident how important good preparation and cohesion are in the community. Information on the state of affairs is continuously on the website of the [DW] (https://www.dw.com/de/ defines Tagesschau and 24rhein.