Bomb alarm signal in Cologne: Evacuation after the discovery of the World War II bomb!

Bomb alarm signal in Cologne: Evacuation after the discovery of the World War II bomb!

Yesterday, on July 12, 2025, a dangerous five hundredweight World War II bomb was discovered in Cologne-Lindenthal. The discovery near the university hospital caused a stir in the city. The bomb is a dud from World War II and was first recorded at 1:00 p.m. As the city of Cologne announced in a press release 24rhein, extensive preparations are necessary for an evacuation that follows the defusing of the bomb.

The exact time of defusing is still pending, but it is planned that the measures will be carried out between July 14th and 20th, 2025. The evacuation radius is determined by the explosive ordnance disposal service (KBD) of the Düsseldorf district government and can be between 250 and 500 meters. It is currently unknown how many residents will be affected by the evacuation. This has particular implications for the university clinic, as patients are already informed by the departments.

Preparations and measures

The city of Cologne is working closely with the university clinic and the KBD to master the situation. A quick and efficient evacuation is crucial to ensure the safety of citizens. In May 2025, a similar incident resulted in around 2,750 people having to be evacuated when an unexploded bomb was discovered nearby. These incidents highlight the ongoing challenge posed by such weapons in urban areas.

The current measures include comprehensive information for residents. Those affected can rely on a news ticker from the city of Cologne, which provides timely updated information on the evacuation plans. At the same time, it would be crucial for the city and the university clinic that patients are informed in a timely manner about changes in care in order to minimize possible inconveniences.

Explosive ordnance disposal in Germany

The measures for explosive ordnance disposal are very regulated in Germany. After the Second World War, the Allied occupying powers initially assumed responsibility before the federal states established their own services to guarantee the safety of the population. According to Wikipedia, civil explosive ordnance disposal not only deals with defusing, but also requires historical investigations and risk assessments in order to minimize the risk as best as possible.

In summary, dealing with World War relics like this bomb is a complex and challenging task. The city of Cologne is well prepared and is working to protect the population as best as possible, while the university clinic continues to ensure that medical services are maintained.