Bomb defusal in Cologne: 20,000 residents have to be evacuated!

Bomb defusal in Cologne: 20,000 residents have to be evacuated!

Cologne is once again dominated by global political history. On July 12, 2025, several World War II bombs were discovered in the Lindenthal district, which now have to be defused. The explosives date back to the Second World War and pose a significant danger. Defusalization is scheduled to begin in the morning, but extensive evacuation measures are already causing a lot of excitement among the affected residents.

The defusing affects around 20,000 citizens who live within one kilometer of the site. Barriers are being set up everywhere in the area and checks are being carried out on all buildings in the security area. These measures are primarily intended to ensure that no one is exposed to danger during defusing. The Hohenzollern Bridge is also in the danger zone, which creates additional challenges.

Disruptions in public life

The defusing will not only directly affect residents. The impact on rail traffic is significant. Widespread disruptions are to be expected throughout North Rhine-Westphalia, the Cologne/Deutz trade fair station is canceled, and local urban transport is also suffering from the measures. Even shipping on the Rhine is paused, and freight traffic also has to wait until the defusing work is completed.

The environmental and security policy implications of these measures should not be underestimated. The city of Cologne is also aware that defusing not only represents a technical challenge, but also has a massive impact on the everyday lives of many people. As citizens grapple with the uncertainties of evacuations and closures, the question remains: How often will we have to deal with the remnants of the past?

Current discussions and social issues

In the midst of all these events, there are also current social issues that concern the people of Cologne. The tragic death of Diogo Jota, a Liverpool FC player, after a car accident has caused great sadness. There was a minute's silence in the stadium in his honor. The community also discusses far-reaching social issues such as sexual assaults in outdoor swimming pools and the need to take measures to improve safety here. Political statements at festivals are also perceived differently by citizens, which fuels public debate.

The current situation in Cologne is not only characterized by defusing work. The people of Cologne show solidarity in overcoming these challenges, and while the city is sporadically confronted with bomb disposal work in memory of the dark chapters of its history, the hope for a safe and peaceful future remains. You can also find information about the exclusions and other news in our Podcast and in the News from t-online.