Huge evacuation in Cologne: 20,000 people affected before bomb disposal!

Huge evacuation in Cologne: 20,000 people affected before bomb disposal!

On Wednesday, June 2nd, 2025, many Cologne residents will have exciting times ahead. The reason for this is the defusing of three World War II bombs that were discovered in the Cologne-Deutz district. As the city of Cologne reports, 20,000 people are expected to have to leave their homes as a result of this campaign, leading to one of the largest evacuations in recent years. n-tv highlights that affected facilities in the evacuation area include the Ludwig Museum and the Wallraf-Richartz Museum.

But that's not all: the television station RTL is also affected, which will broadcast its early magazines " Punkt 6 " and " Punkt 7 " live from the broadcast center in Deutz, while the broadcast of " Punkt 8 " will be canceled. The RTL building and adjacent facilities such as the Eduardus Hospital, two nursing and retirement homes and the Cologne town hall should be evacuated by 8 a.m. In this context, three bridges over the Rhine are also affected, including the Severins Bridge and the Deutzer Bridge, which must be closed.

Evacuation details

The discovery of the bombs, two 20-pound American bombs and one 10-pound bomb, occurred on the same day as the evacuation measures. Loud stadt-koeln.de The ordnance was found at the Deutz shipyard and is equipped with impact detonators. The explosive ordnance disposal service of the Düsseldorf district government is taking over the defusing, which is scheduled for June 4, 2025.

The defined danger zone extends over a radius of 1,000 meters, which also includes nine schools, various daycare centers and 58 accommodation facilities. It is recommended that those affected inform themselves in good time on the City of Cologne website or from local media in order to stay up to date about road closures and possible disruptions to public transport.

Important information for those affected

Affected residents are asked to take identification documents, medication, baby food and urgently needed personal items with them. Pets are not allowed in the contact point that will be set up in the gymnasium of the Humboldstraße vocational college. While the first evacuations took place the night before the bomb was defused, not all residents had to go to the shelters. Some found alternative refuge with friends and family.

How WDR reported, the first round of evacuation in the city center lasted several hours and was supported by, among others, the Cologne fire department and the public order office. Local public transport will also be taken out of service during the defusal until the bombs can be safely recovered. Once defusing is complete and all safety precautions have been taken, residents can return to their homes.