Cologne in a state of emergency: 20,000 citizens have to evacuate due to bombs!

Cologne in a state of emergency: 20,000 citizens have to evacuate due to bombs!

Next Wednesday Cologne faces one of the biggest challenges in recent years. Over 20,000 people have to vacate their apartments to make room for the defusing of three World War II bombs. This extraordinary evacuation measure became necessary after the dangerous relics from the Second World War were discovered on Monday. The city of Cologne, which was often faced with such bomb finds in the past, reacted to the situation and ordered a nationwide evacuation. According to the city spokeswoman, it is one of the most extensive evacuations in recent years, such as the Borkener Zeitung reported.

The evacuation affects not only residential buildings, but also important facilities such as the Eduardus hospital and two nursing and old people's homes. Therefore, not only the residents are required, but also the medical staff and the residents are required to get to safety. This measure also has an impact on traffic: three important bridges across the Rhine, including the so -called Hohenzollern Bridge, must be blocked. Information on the exact closures and the possibly impaired public transport will be announced shortly, such as the WDR-Website informed.

affected institutions and contact points

Many organizational details are associated with the evacuation. A contact point will be announced on Tuesday, in which the affected citizens can receive support. The first ring of bell and the setup of the roadblocks is planned for Wednesday from 8 a.m. The defusing comprises two American 20-centers bombs and an American 10-hundredweight bomb, all of which are provided with surcharges. Such bomb finds are not uncommon in Cologne because the city was heavily bombed during the Second World War.

The local regulatory office takes stock: In 2023, a total of 31 bombs were found in Cologne, including 21 explosive bombs, which illustrates the urgency of the security measures. These recurring clean -up work and evacuations not only cost time, but also resources. For example, around 3100 residents were affected in August 2023, such as the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger

The city authorities are confident that the evacuation will run smoothly. Nevertheless, the duration of the closures remains unclear. In view of the upcoming 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in 2025, this facility is also placed in the historical context for defusing. The residents are called up to prepare for evacuation early and to clarify any problems with the authorities in advance. It remains to be hoped that the bomb defusing will take place without incidents and will soon return normality.