Cologne’s WWII Bomb Threat Resolved: Evacuation Lifted Following Successful Defusal – DW News Update (June 4, 2025)

Large parts of Cologne’s city center were closed off on Wednesday as experts worked to defuse three World War II bombs. This effort marked one of the biggest evacuations the city has seen since the war ended 80 years ago, with around 20,000 people ordered to leave the area.

Evacuation Details

The operation faced delays when a resident in the old town refused to evacuate. Authorities, including police and firefighters, had to step in to ensure everyone left the vicinity. Kai Kulschewski, who leads the explosive disposal unit in Düsseldorf, stated that work could only begin once the area was entirely clear.

Affected Locations

The entire old section of Cologne was evacuated. This included 58 hotels, three bridges over the Rhine, the town hall, the railway station in Deutz, museums, a hospital, and two care homes. Fortunately, the iconic Cologne Cathedral remained outside the danger zone.

Deutsche Bahn, the national rail operator, announced significant train diversions and cancellations due to the situation. The three bombs discovered included two 2,000-pound (900-kilogram) and one 1,000-pound bomb, all left behind from the war.

According to the City of Cologne, this evacuation was the largest since World War II, with hopes that the defusing process could be wrapped up by the end of the day.

Historical Context

Cologne has a long history of bomb defusals, stemming from its status as a primary target for Allied airstrikes during WWII. The British Royal Air Force carried out a notorious "thousand-bomber raid" on May 31, 1942, dropping a staggering 1,455 tons of bombs on the city, leading to widespread destruction.

The Bigger Picture

Experts often remind us that remnants from war still resonate in today’s society. The presence of unexploded bombs serves as a reminder of the past, and cities like Cologne continue grappling with their wartime histories. This ongoing reality has even sparked conversations on social media, where people express both concern and intrigue regarding bomb defusals.

In recent years, cities across Europe have reported similar incidents, with data indicating that around 10% of the bombs dropped during WWII have yet to be found. It’s estimated that about 15,000 tons of ordnance remain buried in Germany alone. As cities grow and develop, these historical artifacts pose both a threat and a connection to the past.

The ongoing defusing efforts in Cologne highlight the importance of remembering history while ensuring the safety of residents today. For more on the topic, you can read the associated reports from the German Federal Agency for Technical Relief.

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