Cologne in a state of emergency: giant evacuation due to bomb finds!

Cologne in a state of emergency: giant evacuation due to bomb finds!

Deutz, Köln, Deutschland - An enormous security effort is currently operated in Cologne, because three World War II bombs were discovered in the Deutz district during construction work. Today, June 4, 2025, the city's largest evacuation campaign has been beginning since World War II. Around 20,000 people have to leave their apartments, while the district government of the Düsseldorf district government will defuse the bombs. The bombs found are two American 20-centers bombs and an American ten-century bomb, all of which are provided with service turmoil, which requires immediate defusing because they could detonate with vibrations.

The evacuation will start at 8 a.m. and all facilities within a radius of one kilometer from the site will be. Among other things, large parts of the old town of Cologne, the main train station and numerous hotels such as the Maritim am Heumarkt and the Hyatt on the Deutz Rheinufer are affected. Many restaurants, brewers and shops in the evacuation area must also remain closed. Particular attention also applies to the Eduardus Hospital and two nursing and old people's homes, where extensive evacuation measures also come into force.

effects on traffic

The transport connection is severely impaired. The Deutz train station will be closed to all near and long-distance trains from 8 a.m., but trains can pass the Hohenzollern Bridge. Stadtbahn lines 1, 3, 4, 7, 9, 14 and 17 will also not be able to cross the blocked area. Due to the security measures, passengers must expect possible detours and partial failures in train traffic. This situation also has an impact on the Rhine shipping, with a section of the Rhine being blocked for the duration of the defusing.

The Cologne Verkehrsbetriebe (KVB) find the situation so serious that they urge the citizens to avoid the city center during this time. In demand also in the Philharmonie and the Lanxess Arena had to be republished or canceled due to the circumstances. So the appearance of the WDR symphony orchestra and an event with comedian Tedros "Teddy" Tecebrhan had to be laid.

reporting and contact points

The reporting on this extraordinary situation is accompanied by the special editions of WDR television, while RTL Germany has shifted its live broadcasts to Berlin. For those who are looking for more information, there are several contact points, including the exhibition hall 10.1 and the Humboldtstrasse vocational college. However, it should be noted that pets are not allowed.

The city has set up a citizen phone through which information about the situation can be obtained. The number is 0221/221-0 or 115. For the implementation of the defusing, not only the ordnance disposal service are responsible, but also several departments of the city administration, the police and fire brigade must work closely together to guarantee a smooth process. Citizens are called to follow the police instructions to enable quick and safe evacuation.

This action once again shows how important the security of the citizens is and how quickly the situation in a big city can change. Stay informed and observe the current instructions of the responsible authorities.

In addition to the detailed information about the evacuation and defusing, you can use the websites of Tagesschau and Duisburg more inform.