Cologne is preparing for a huge evacuation: three bombs have to be defused!

Cologne is preparing for a huge evacuation: three bombs have to be defused!

In Cologne-Deutz, around 20,000 people will have to leave their homes on June 4, 2025 because three unexploded bombs from the Second World War have to be defused. This discovery led to a large-scale evacuation, one of the largest in recent years. Not only private households are affected, but also numerous institutions and facilities within a radius of 1,000 meters from the danger area. These include, among others, the RTL building, the Lanxess Arena, the Musical Dome and the Philharmonic Hall. Even the Messe/Deutz train station and several Rhine bridges have to be closed to ensure safety. Details about the evacuation and the exclusion zones will be communicated via the arena's websites and social media channels, as Express reports.

The bombs, including two 20-pound bombs and one 10-pound American-made bomb, were discovered on Monday. Due to their impact detonator, special caution is required. The explosive ordnance disposal service of the Düsseldorf district government is already at the scene and will defuse the fire together with the Cologne public order office. A central contact point will be set up for affected citizens on Tuesday, where further information will be provided, as RTL explains in detail.

Evacuation day and planned events

A very special show is also on the program in the Lanxess Arena on the evacuation day, which is scheduled for Wednesday from 8 a.m. The event with “Teddy” promises a colorful mix of music, comedy and entertainment. A total of four “Teddy” events are planned. The arena's managing director, Stefan Loche, emphasizes that the exact procedure will still be determined during the day, but that the arena is in close contact with the responsible authorities and event teams. However, the event could also be affected if the evacuation measures go beyond the planned time, as the Süddeutsche Zeitung can be seen.

The entire old town and neighboring districts are also in the restricted area, which means that important cultural institutions such as the Ludwig Museum and the Wallraf-Richartz Museum also have to be evacuated. City infrastructure, including the Eduardus Hospital and care facilities, will be prioritized. In addition, 58 hotels and numerous daycare centers have to be evacuated, which represents a logistical challenge for those responsible.

Despite this serious situation, everyday life in Cologne does not stand still. RTL plans to broadcast its morning shows live from the broadcast center in Deutz, while the most important evening formats will be broadcast from the capital studio in Berlin. This suggests that the Cologne media landscape is doing everything it can to inform citizens as much as possible while at the same time fulfilling their duty to ensure safety.