Evacuation in Cologne: 20,000 people affected due to bomb defusal

Evacuation in Cologne: 20,000 people affected due to bomb defusal

Comprehensive evacuation measures will take place in Cologne-Deutz on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. The reason for this are three World War II bombs that were found at the Deutz shipyard. These bombs, two American 20 quintal bombs and one American 10 quintal bomb, are all underground with impact detonators and need to be defused urgently. According to Radio Erft, the evacuation will begin at 8 a.m. and will affect around 20,000 people in the urban area on the left and right banks of the Rhine.

The evacuation zone extends across Cologne-Deutz and Cologne's old town, where, among other things, the Eduardus Hospital, several old people's and nursing homes as well as around 60 hotels and numerous schools are affected. Large companies, the Lanxess Arena, the Musical Dome and the Philharmonic also have to be evacuated. Visitors to the “TEDDY Show”, which was scheduled for June 8th, must be prepared for the event to be postponed; the tickets remain valid.

Logistical challenges

The impact of the evacuation on traffic is significant. Deutz train station will be completely closed from 8 a.m. and train traffic will be diverted on the way to Cologne main station. The Cologne transport company (KVB) also expects massive disruptions: buses and trains will not stop in the affected area during the evacuation, so it makes sense to avoid this part of the city that day. Deutsche Bahn also reports that numerous long-distance trains will not stop in Cologne-Deutz, which could lead to delays as trains are being rerouted over a large area.

A first ringing of the bell for evacuation will take place on Wednesday from 8 a.m. If people do not leave the evacuation area voluntarily, there is a risk of forced evacuation by the police in extreme cases. To ensure that everything goes smoothly, the evacuation will be supported by the police, possibly also with helicopters and thermal imaging cameras. Residents are expressly advised to follow the instructions of the security service when evacuating, as uncontrolled detonations pose a risk to life.

Contact points and help for those affected

There are contact points for evacuated citizens: those affected can meet in exhibition hall 10.1 on the right bank of the Rhine and at the Humboldtstraße vocational college on the left bank of the Rhine. Since pets are not allowed in the alternative accommodation, it is recommended that you arrange their accommodation in advance. There is also a citizen hotline available for inquiries on 0221/221-0 or 115, which can be reached from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Affected residents should take important items such as identification documents, cash cards, medical documents and necessary medicines with them.

The “Gaffel am Dom” opens for the first 100 visitors from 10 a.m. with a welcome gift and a brewery breakfast, so that the time of uncertainty can be bridged a little better. The city also recommends using warning apps such as NINA or KATWARN to stay informed about current developments, as the exact time when the closures will be lifted is uncertain.

The situation shows once again that bombs from the Second World War, as regularly stated by ERGO, still pose a serious risk to local residents even decades after the war. The authorities are doing everything they can to ensure that the evacuation and subsequent bomb defusal are carried out safely. The city will educate citizens through information channels such as social media, radio and, in an emergency, handouts.

With this in mind, we call on all Cologne residents to prepare well, follow the instructions and act in solidarity. History will remind us that it is small actions that can achieve great things.