Three unexploded World War II bombs discovered in Cologne prompted the city’s largest evacuation since the war, displacing over 20,000 residents and disrupting daily life.
At a Glance
- Three American WWII bombs with impact fuses were found during construction in Cologne’s Deutz district.
- Over 20,000 residents were evacuated in the city’s largest postwar operation.
- Critical infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and transportation, was shut down.
- The bombs were safely defused within an hour, with no injuries reported.
- Evacuations were delayed due to one resident’s initial refusal to leave.
Discovery and Evacuation Efforts
On June 2, 2025, construction workers in Cologne’s Deutz district uncovered three unexploded American WWII bombs, prompting an immediate citywide emergency response. Each bomb contained impact fuses, necessitating swift and extensive precautions. More than 20,500 people were ordered to evacuate within a 1,000-meter radius, marking Cologne’s largest postwar evacuation.
The perimeter included nine schools, one hospital, multiple nursing homes, 58 hotels, several museums, and critical transport hubs, including the Messe/Deutz train station. Authorities also closed three major bridges, including the heavily trafficked Hohenzollern Bridge, to ensure safety during bomb disposal.
Defusal and Aftermath
Explosive ordnance teams from Düsseldorf’s regional authority successfully defused all three bombs within one hour on June 4. Despite one resident’s brief refusal to evacuate—temporarily delaying the operation—no injuries were reported, and residents were permitted to return that evening.
City officials noted that North Rhine-Westphalia averages 1,500 to 2,000 unexploded ordnance discoveries each year, a legacy of the region’s strategic role in WWII. The recent incident underscores how even today, wartime remnants continue to affect civilian life in Germany.
Watch a report: Cologne Evacuates 20,000 After WWII Bombs Found.
Historical Context
Cologne endured 262 air raids during World War II, resulting in widespread destruction and tens of thousands of civilian deaths. Modern construction projects still routinely uncover unexploded ordnance, forcing authorities to conduct complex evacuations to protect the public.
This week’s operation, while disruptive, was handled swiftly and effectively. It serves as a potent reminder of the long tail of global conflict—and the meticulous coordination required to prevent history from repeating itself in tragic ways.
