Evacuation in Cologne: 20,500 people affected due to bomb finds!

Evacuation in Cologne: 20,500 people affected due to bomb finds!

Köln, Deutschland - Cologne is currently head, because an urgent evacuation is imminent. Around 20,500 citizens have to prepare for June 4, on this day the largest evacuation measure of the city has been carried out since the end of World War II. The reason for this? On June 2, three World War II bombs were discovered, which require urgent defusing. This reports Stern

The explosive relics include two American 20-centers bombs and a ten hundredweight bomb, all with service tiders. The ordnance disposal service will take care of the defusing. A danger area of ​​1,000 meters is set up around the site. The evacuation means that hotels, restaurants and numerous other facilities have to be cleared in this radius. In fact, 58 hotels and accommodation companies fall into the blocking area, which means a significant interference in local tourism, as the WDR reports.

evacuation measures and reporting

The evacuation will come into force on Wednesday, June 4, from 8 a.m. The city of Cologne must ensure that all those affected leave the blocking area in good time, since otherwise the police could intervene to clear forced eviction. For citizens who need support, there are contact points in the city: right bank of the Rhine in the exhibition hall 10.1 and Linkrheinisch in the Humboldtstrasse vocational college. However, pets must not be brought along, which some pet owners present with challenges.

To inform the citizens in this Situation, the WDR sends several special editions of its format "WDR Aktuell". The first special show starts at 8:00 a.m. and will be followed by further editions at 10:00 a.m. and 1:50 p.m. RTL and N-TV are also on site and report on the situation. RTL even shifts several live broadcasts to Berlin and lets a large part of its employees work from the mobile office, while N-TV starts production in Cologne-Ossendorf from 8:00 a.m.

impairments in the transport network

The evacuation also has profound effects on traffic. Deutsche Bahn has already reported that there are significant impairments in long -distance transport due to the defusing. Trains in and from Cologne are particularly due to the evacuation. In addition, the Hohenzollernbrücke is closed to traffic, and several light rail lines and bus connections have to be closed. Cologne Verkehrsbetriebe (KVB) expect massive restrictions in local public transport and advise you to avoid the inner city area on Wednesday.

The Cologne residents make themselves prepared for a day of large changes and have to be patient. Because after the bombs are defused, it remains uncertain when the closures can be lifted again. The city has set up a citizens' phone that can be reached from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. for information on 0221/221-0 or 115.

Overall, it can be seen that even over 80 years after the end of the Second World War, the effects of the conflict to this end. The city of Cologne and its citizens face a demanding challenge, but they have also proven that they are able to find solutions together. We will continue to keep you up to date on the development of this critical situation.