The largest evacuation since the Second World War is currently underway in Cologne after three unexploded bombs from the war were discovered in the Deutz district. Around 20,000 people have to leave their homes, and hospitals, retirement homes and numerous public facilities are also affected. Three central Rhine bridges and the Cologne Messe/Deutz train station were closed, leading to considerable restrictions in rail and city traffic. Many events have been canceled or postponed. Important cultural institutions, hotels and schools are also located in the restricted area and their operations have been temporarily suspended. [1,2]
The operation is being managed in cooperation with the police, the public order office and civil protection organizations to ensure that everything runs smoothly. In addition to the immediate protection of the population, the operation also provides valuable insights for comparable future situations. In this context, the operation serves as a practical exercise. Cologne’s growing expertise in dealing with bomb finds is clearly demonstrated by the professional way in which the operation was carried out [2,3].
The defusing time is still unclear – it can only begin once the area has been completely cleared. The first ringing tour has already been started by the public order office.Municipal contact points have been set up for affected citizens.Further information is available online and via the citizens’ hotline.[1,3,4]
As of 04.06.2025, 10:30 CEST
______________________________________________________________________________________
[1] Tagesschau (2025) Größte Evakuierung seit dem Zweiten Weltkrieg in Köln. Abgerufen am 04.06.2025 unter: https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/regional/nordrheinwestfalen/koeln-bombenfund-100.html
[2] WDR 82025) Live-Ticker: Bombenentschärfungen in Köln Abgerufen am 04.06.2025 unter: https://www1.wdr.de/nachrichten/rheinland/bomben-entschaerfung-koeln-deutz-ticker-100.html
[3] Rheinische Post (2025) Straßen und Brücken gesperrt – Evakuierung von mehr als 20.000 Menschen gestartet. Abgerufen am 04.06.2025 unter: Straßen und Brücken gesperrt – Evakuierung von mehr als 20.000 Menschen gestartet. https://rp-online.de/nrw/staedte/koeln/bombenentschaerfung-in-koeln-live-evakuierung-von-mehr-als-20000-menschen-gestartet_aid-128708515
[4] Kölnische Rundschau (2025) So läuft die riesige Evakuierung ab – Erster Klingelrundgang läuft. Abgerufen am 04.06.2025 unter: https://www.rundschau-online.de/koeln/ausnahmezustand-in-koeln-so-laeuft-die-riesige-evakuierung-ab-1-1037376
(Image source: Henning Kaiser/dpa, Kölnische Rundschau)