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World War II bombs in Cologne-Deutz: Massive evacuation to defuse them!
On June 2, 2025, three World War II bombs were discovered in Cologne-Deutz. Defusing and evacuation planned for 20,000 affected people.
World War II bombs in Cologne-Deutz: Massive evacuation to defuse them!
There is currently only one topic that is stirring people's minds in Cologne-Deutz: the discovery of three World War II bombs on June 2, 2025. During work in the Deutz shipyard, two American 20-pound bombs and a ten-pound bomb were found, all with impact detonators. This presents the city with a major challenge because the bombs now have to be defused.
The responsible authorities, including the explosive ordnance disposal service of the Düsseldorf district government and the Cologne city public order office, have already initiated comprehensive measures. The bombs are planned to be defused on June 4, 2025, for which a danger zone with a radius of 1,000 meters will be set up. Around 20,000 registered people are affected and will have to be evacuated as soon as the road closures begin at 8 a.m. Critical infrastructure such as the Eduardus Hospital and two old people's homes are also affected by the evacuation.
Extensive evacuations and restrictions
The evacuations don't just affect residents; the operation also has consequences for traffic. Three bridges – the Severins Bridge, the Deutzer Bridge and the Hohenzollern Bridge – as well as southern train traffic to the main station will be affected. The Cologne transport company with its lines 1, 7 and 9 is also affected, as is the Messe/Deutz train station and various city departments.
Overall, the effects are far-reaching and can be seen thanks to the extensive data available. For a better presentation, here is an overview of the affected areas:
| Affected infrastructure | Details |
|---|---|
| Critical facilities | Eduardus Hospital, nursing and retirement homes |
| Bridges | Severins Bridge, Deutzer Bridge, Hohenzollern Bridge |
| Public transport | KVB lines (including 1, 7, 9), Messe/Deutz train station |
| Accommodations | 58 accommodation providers in Cologne's old town and Deutz |
| Educational institutions | Nine schools, various daycare centers |
Preparations and sources of information
A central contact point for affected citizens will be announced on Tuesday. The city of Cologne also provides information about all current developments on its website as well as via Radio Cologne, WDR and the Cologne transport company. Information on road closures and public transport disruptions will be updated promptly. An FAQ page will also be made available on Tuesday, located at www.stadt-koeln.de/kampfmittel will be found.
The incident in Cologne-Deutz shows how seriously the issue of explosive ordnance disposal must be taken. Historically, Germany is burdened by ordnance that dates back to World War II. It is important that such threats are addressed professionally and safely by the explosive ordnance disposal service. In this context, the city of Cologne only remembered a similar incident on October 1, 2024, when an English five hundredweight bomb was also discovered in Porz-Eil, which had to be defused that same day stadt-koeln.de.
Explosive ordnance disposal is not just a technical challenge, but an important aspect of public safety. This is also recognized by the international community as “demining” and specialized services are available to eliminate this danger and ensure safety for all. This shows that awareness of such dangers and appropriate preparation are the be-all and end-all when it comes to protecting the population wikipedia.org.