At least three unexploded US bombs from World War II were safely defused in Cologne on Wednesday following the largest evacuation Germany has seen since World War II.
More than 20,000 residents, workers, and visitors were evacuated from central Cologne earlier on Wednesday after three unexploded World War II-era bombs—two weighing 20 tons and one 10 tons—were discovered on Monday during construction work at a shipyard in Deutz, located on the east bank of the Rhine River, according to a statement from city officials.
In pictures: Germany evacuates 20,000 people after WWII bombs were found in Cologne, with disposal teams preparing to defuse two 20-ton and one 10-ton unexploded bombs pic.twitter.com/ySZ9hBUoeh
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The evacuation began at 8 a.m. local time (0600 GMT) and covered a 1,000-meter radius, impacting parts of the city’s historic old town and the Deutz district.
According to reports, the operation has disrupted rail services and led to the closure of churches, event venues, nine schools, and several daycare centers. Additionally, some city services were suspended or postponed.
The city announced on its website that the bombs were successfully defused at 7:19 p.m. local time.
Cologne officials did not report injuries and said residents began returning home after the area was declared secure.
Cologne, heavily bombed during World War II, remains one of many German cities where unexploded ordnance is periodically unearthed. The city was the first target of the British Royal Air Force’s “thousand bomber raid” in 1942.
