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Cologne is upside down: largest evacuation since the Second World War!
In Cologne, around 20,000 people have to be evacuated on June 4, 2025 because of the defusing of World War II bombs.
Cologne is upside down: largest evacuation since the Second World War!
The largest evacuation since the Second World War is underway in Cologne: around20,000 peoplehave to leave their homes and offices while a World War II bomb is being defused. The measures begin tomorrow morning (June 4, 2025) at8 o'clock. Not only the old town is affected, but also large parts of the Deutz district, where the bomb was found. Loud Deutschlandfunk Several important facilities such as hotels, museums and retirement homes must be evacuated.
This also includes theDeutz train station, severalTram stopsas well as theThree Rhine bridges: the Hohenzollern, Deutzer and Severins Bridges. TheShippingon the Rhine will be temporarily suspended and serious disruption to long-distance traffic can be expected.
Evacuation and closures
Already in the evening hours of June 3, 2025, the discovery ofthree World War bombsannounced in Deutz. Two of them each weighed20 hundredweight, while the thirdten hundredweightbrought to the scales. These bombs are equipped with impact detonators, which highlights the urgency of defusing them, reports daily news.
The evacuation affects a large part of the city center, including the shopping area and more58 hotels. Numerous facilities like thatEduardus Hospitalas well as nursing and retirement homes are also affected. The Philharmonic has already canceled a concert by the WDR Symphony Orchestra, and the Lanxess Arena has postponed the appearance of comedian Tedros “Teddy” Teclebrhan to Sunday. Delightful for wedding fairies:15 weddings, which were supposed to take place in the historic town hall, will also be moved to Porz.
Practical information for those affected
From 8 a.m. there will be a number of services available for affected citizensPlaceavailable, including in exhibition hall 10.1 and the Humboldtstrasse vocational college. Pets are not allowed and it is recommended to avoid the city center on Wednesday. There is a citizen hotline for information0221/221-0 or 115ready while theGerman railwayreacted to the defusing with the first trains that were canceled from 8 a.m.
The Cologne authorities are using past experiences in their preparations. In theMay 2025had to defuse oneFive hundredweight bombAround 5,200 people are evacuated on Hardefuststrasse t online reported. This measure had to be carried out at night because a heavy vehicle had driven over it and required utmost urgency. The evacuation at that time was already a major effort, but the upcoming measures present the city with new challenges.
The city of Cologne and the responsible authorities are working hard to make the situation as safe and smooth as possible. We will keep you updated on developments in this exciting situation.