Cologne in a state of emergency: greatest evacuation since World War II!

Cologne in a state of emergency: greatest evacuation since World War II!

On Monday, June 2, 2025, the Deutz district of Cologne drew attention to itself with a dramatic incident. Three bomb flaps were discovered during construction work on the Deutzer shipyard: two American 20-tentner bombs and a 10-hole bomb, all with surcharges. This discovery led to one of the greatest evacuation campaigns that Cologne has experienced since the end of World War II. The measures are essential because the bombs have to be defused.

The defusing is scheduled for Wednesday, June 4, 2025, and the Düsseldorf district government's ordnance disposal service has already taken all precautions. From 8 a.m., a danger area with a radius of 1,000 meters will be set up around the site. Over 20,000 people have to be evacuated during this time, including from all over Cologne's old town and large parts of Deutz. Affected residents and employees are asked to go to various evacuation locations such as Cologne Messe/Deutz station, the Lanxess-Arena, the RTL building, the Cologne Messe or the Eduardus Hospital.

evacuation measures and support

The Cologne fire brigade actively supported the regulatory office in the evacuation of the affected residential areas. Residents were asked to leave their houses and apartments to ensure their safety. During the night, according to WDR , about 5,000 people in the city center leave their apartments temporarily.

The city of Cologne has set up a contact point for those affected in the gymnasium of the Humboldstrasse vocational college. Here you can also take important personal objects such as ID cards, medication and baby food. However, pets have to stay outside, which is a challenge for many animals and their owners. Some residents spent the night in the gym, while other alternatives found.

background to the bomb find

The problem of bomb flaps is not new in Germany. According to ard alpha , an estimated 100,000 to 300,000 tons of such unexploded glares from the Second World War are stored in the ground. Around 5,000 of these objects have to be eliminated annually, the danger zones identified by analyzing old aerial photographs. Auditarians are often discovered by chance during construction work, as in the current case in Cologne. The careful handling of these explosive relics requires special know-how, since many bombs are over half a century old and the explosive can be unpredictable.

After the defusing, the environment will continue to be difficult to access. The blocked Severins and Hohenzollernbrücken and the Deutzer Bridge make a quick return. The normal traffic situation will only be restored after rescue and transport the defused bombs. The Cologne Transport Association has already announced that buses and trains will no longer have any restrictions until the situation is clarified.

The website of the city of Cologne is available for further information on evacuation: www.stadt-koeln.de . The upcoming days become challenging for many Cologneers, but the city administration and the emergency services take a good knack in coping with this delicate situation.