Bomb found in Cologne-Deutz: 20,000 people have to leave their homes!

Bomb found in Cologne-Deutz: 20,000 people have to leave their homes!

A bomb discovery in Cologne-Deutz causes concern and extensive evacuation measures. Three World War II bombs, including two 20-pound bombs and one 10-pound bomb, were discovered. These American unexploded ordnances, which are equipped with impact detonators, require a comprehensive clearance scheduled for June 4, 2025. Around 20,000 people have to leave their apartments and houses to make room in the designated danger zone with a radius of 1,000 meters.

The RTL headquarters in Deutz is particularly affected. [t-online.de]. The early morning magazines “Point 6” and “Point 7” are broadcast live, but the program planned for “Point 8” has to be canceled for security reasons. RTL has already considered emergency plans: employees are encouraged to work from mobile offices wherever possible, while programs such as “Point 12” and “RTL Aktuell” have to be broadcast from the capital studio in Berlin.

Evacuation in the city center

The city of Cologne has decided that important facilities and public places will also be taken into account during the evacuation, including the Lanxess Arena, the Musical Dome and the Philharmonic Hall. The Messe/Deutz train station and three Rhine bridges are also affected by the measures. With this operational challenge, particular attention will be paid to the city's critical infrastructure, such as the Eduardus Hospital. Precautions must be taken in good time to avoid endangering patient health.

According to [rtl.de]. Central contact points for the affected people should be announced in advance and also during the evacuation. This includes information about exclusion zones, road closures and restrictions on local public transport.

Experiences from the past

A similar scenario already occurred in April 2024, when RTL's broadcast center had to be evacuated during a live broadcast. At that time, a five hundredweight bomb was discovered during construction work in the city center and had to be quickly defused, which took several hours. WDR reports that the fire department and public order office had to support the residents in order to carry out the evacuation smoothly.

Officials recommend that residents provide essential items such as ID cards, medication and baby food, as pets are not allowed into the drop-in center. During the last evacuation, many people had to spend the night in gymnasiums because they could not find other accommodation.

The upcoming evacuation and associated measures highlight the need for vigilance and preparation in the event of such unexpected events. The citizens of Cologne are curious to see how the situation will develop. Stay safe, Cologne!