Cologne has launched its largest evacuation operation since the end of World War II, after three aerial bombs from the era were uncovered in the city’s Deutz district. Authorities began clearing the area at 8 a.m. today, affecting more than 20,000 residents in the Old Town.
The bombs—two weighing one ton and a third weighing half a ton—were found on the site of a former shipyard slated for redevelopment. All three are fitted with dangerous impact fuses, prompting an urgent response from bomb disposal teams.
The evacuation zone spans both sides of the Rhine River. As a result, three bridges have been closed, and rail and tram services in central Cologne have been suspended. A wide range of facilities are being cleared, including 58 hotels, one hospital, nine schools, two nursing homes, multiple kindergartens, and the RTL television headquarters. The morning show Punkt 7 was cut short during broadcast as staff were evacuated immediately.
According to Cologne authorities, this is the “largest operation since World War II.” Temporary shelters have been set up across the city, and shuttle buses are running to assist those without transportation. Officials are urging residents to leave the area promptly to allow defusal teams to complete their work safely and efficiently.
Despite the extensive safety perimeter, Cologne Cathedral and the city’s central train station remain open, as they lie outside the evacuation zone.
The discovery came during construction preparations for a future residential and commercial development that will include 3,000 new apartments on the former industrial site.
