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Huge evacuation in Cologne: bomb discovery forces 20,000 to flee!
On June 4, 2025, 20,000 people in Cologne-Deutz were evacuated because WWII bombs were found. Details here.
Huge evacuation in Cologne: bomb discovery forces 20,000 to flee!
A significant incident occurred in the Deutz district, the vibrant corner of Cologne, on Monday, June 2, 2025. During construction work at the Deutz shipyard, three duds from the Second World War were discovered: two American 20-can bombs and one 10-can bomb, all with impact detonators. This has resulted in the largest evacuation in decades, as ksta.de reported.
The bomb defusing is scheduled for Wednesday, June 4th. To ensure safety, an evacuation radius of 1,000 meters around the sites was decided. According to estimates, around 20,000 residents have to temporarily leave their apartments and houses, affecting the entire old town and large parts of Deutz. The spatial impacts are significant, affecting, among others, the Lanxess Arena and the Cologne Trade Fair Station, the well-known chocolate museum as well as the Eduardus Hospital and several retirement homes.
Evacuation and contact points
The evacuation area will be closed from 8 a.m. on Wednesday. There are several contact points for affected residents. Residents on the right bank of the Rhine can use exhibition hall 10.1, while residents on the left bank of the Rhine are accommodated in the Humboldtstrasse vocational college. A shuttle service between the points of contact will be set up, but it is important to note that animals are not allowed to be brought along. Countless guests from the 58 hotels within the evacuation radius are also affected by the evacuation, which makes this situation particularly challenging, as well koeln.de determines.
In addition, the customer center in the city center and the registry office will remain closed on Wednesday, and many planned appointments, including weddings in the historic town hall, will have to be postponed.
Public transport and security
Anyone who uses public transport must be prepared for changes in local transport. The affected light rail lines include the 1, 3, 4, 5 and the bus lines 106, 132 and 153. The police and emergency services will monitor and secure the evacuation.
The evacuation should not be underestimated. Experts warn that World War II bombs are often discovered during construction work and that quick action is required in such cases. The authorities' instructions must not be ignored under any circumstances, as the danger from uncontrolled detonations is real ergo.de explained. It is advisable to install warning apps such as NINA or KATWARN in order to be informed as quickly as possible.
During the evacuation period, residents should also pay attention to their neighbors, especially those in need of help. You should make sure in advance that pets are well accommodated, as animals are usually not allowed to be taken into the alternative accommodation. Important personal items should also be packed: identification documents, medication and possibly some entertainment for the time in the accommodation.
The situation in Deutz is tense, but the authorities are doing their best to ensure the safety of the population. We will continue to monitor developments and keep you updated.