Cologne in turmoil: 20,000 people evacuated to defuse bombs!

Cologne in turmoil: 20,000 people evacuated to defuse bombs!

Today, Cologne is all about security, as around 20,000 people are affected by a comprehensive evacuation. On Wednesday, June 4th, a defusal of three World War II bombs, which had been prepared for months and were discovered during construction work for a district heating pipeline in Riehl, will be carried out. This measure led to massive traffic restrictions, as, among other things, the Cologne Messe/Deutz train station was closed and train traffic was affected. How NW reported, not only residents and employees of the surrounding facilities, but also travelers from the entire region had to expect to have to adjust their travel plans.

The evacuation begins at 8 a.m. and affects, among other things, well-known Cologne institutions such as the Wallraf-Richartz Museum, the Cologne Zoo and the old town. This also includes 58 hotels and accommodation providers, which could greatly complicate preparations for tourists. Inpatient care is available for the affected residents, with 1,100 people in the largest senior citizen and disabled center, including 600 people in need of care, being transferred to hospitals, while around 300 people are being accommodated in prepared exhibition halls.

A large area is closed for defusing. Deutsche Bahn has made preparations and will completely stop traffic from 8 a.m. Travelers from the west can travel to the main train station, but have to expect diversions and canceled connections. The Hohenzollern Bridge in particular, which is considered the busiest railway bridge in Germany, will be completely closed during the defusing. This means that both shipping and air traffic in the region will also be affected.

The historical context

It is not without reason that Cologne today remembers the devastating attacks in the Second World War, when the city was heavily bombed. It was the first thousand-bomber attack on May 30th and 31st, 1942, which significantly shaped the cityscape. This bomb defusal brings back memories of the dangerous time. So reports too WDR about the topicality of this horror, which has also been present in the Cologne city area in the recent past. It was not until May 2, 2023 that an English aerial bomb was discovered in the Melaten cemetery, which was successfully defused without the need for evacuation. The restrictions there were minor compared to today's measures and only affected the cemetery itself.

Today's measures clearly show that the city of Cologne must remain vigilant despite years of efforts to avert the dangers of the past. Current bomb discoveries, like the one in 24Rhine documented, remind us that the legacies of war still lie hidden in the earth and can still pose a danger in the 21st century.

In these difficult times, Cologne's charity and neighborliness are needed. The city administration has its hands full to ensure that the safety of the urban area remains guaranteed, while at the same time the affected citizens are provided with the best possible care. Help us by keeping yourself informed about developments and supporting those who are directly affected.