Cologne Faces Massive Evacuation as WWII Bombs Await Defusal

Cologne is taking unprecedented measures to protect its residents as authorities evacuate over 20,000 people to ensure the safe defusal of three WWII-era bombs discovered in the city.

Cologne, Germany – In a significant operation reminiscent of times past, the city of Cologne has initiated a large-scale evacuation affecting around 20,500 residents from the city’s center to facilitate the defusal of three unexploded bombs dating back to World War Two. Discovered on Monday at a shipyard in the Deutz district, these unexploded ordnance pieces pose a real threat, compelling the city to cordon off an area within a 1,000-meter radius.

The evacuation marks the most extensive operation of its kind since the war, with homes, businesses, schools, and a major hospital forced to comply. Authorities have warned that refusing to evacuate could lead to police escorting residents forcibly, alongside hefty fines for those who linger. Intensive care patients have begun to be transported via ambulance from the Eduardus Hospital.

Scheduled defusal is set to take place on Wednesday by the national bomb disposal service, but it hinges on ensuring complete evacuation for the safety of all individuals in the vicinity. City officials have been going door-to-door, relaying urgent notices to residents, while cultural institutions, 58 hotels, and several civic buildings have ceased operations temporarily.

Transportation in the affected area is severely impacted, with all surrounding roads barricaded and many train services—most notably at the Messe/Deutz train station—canceled. In response to the crisis, the city has established two drop-in centers for displaced residents. Authorities have advised evacuees to remain calm, carry identification, gather essential medications, and ensure care for pets during the evacuation process. While flights at Cologne Bonn Airport will proceed as scheduled, accessing the airport may be complicated.

This colossal evacuation underscores the enduring legacy of World War Two and the risks that still lie beneath modern European cities, reflecting a reality that continues to echo through time.