On Wednesday, June 4, 2025, the German city of Cologne witnessed its largest postwar evacuation as experts defused three unexploded World War II bombs discovered during recent construction work. The bombs, unearthed on Monday, June 2, in the bustling Deutz district just across the Rhine River from Cologne’s historic center, prompted authorities to evacuate more than 20,000 residents from a wide area encompassing homes, hotels, schools, and critical infrastructure.
The evacuation zone, covering a 3,280-foot radius around Deutz, included 58 hotels, nine schools, a hospital, two nursing homes, several museums, office buildings, and the Messe/Deutz train station. Crucially, three major bridges spanning the Rhine—among them the heavily trafficked Hohenzollern railway bridge leading into Cologne’s central station—were also closed. Shipping on the Rhine was suspended, and public transportation came to a near halt with roads blocked and train services stopped. Although flights at Cologne Bonn Airport continued, access was significantly impeded.
City officials initiated the evacuation early Wednesday morning at 8 a.m., conducting door-to-door checks and warning residents that those who refused to leave could be forcibly removed and face hefty fines. In fact, the defusing operation was delayed because one resident in the historic center initially refused to evacuate, requiring intervention from public order officials, police, and the fire department to enforce removal. This holdout briefly postponed the bomb squad’s work, underscoring the challenges authorities face even in highly coordinated safety efforts.
By shortly after 7 p.m., experts had successfully defused all three bombs within about an hour, allowing residents to return home roughly 12 hours after the evacuation began. Streets and bridges in the affected areas gradually reopened, and the city began restoring normalcy.
Despite the passage of 80 years since World War II, unexploded bombs remain a frequent hazard in Germany, particularly in cities like Cologne that were heavily bombed during the war. Approximately 1,500 to 2,000 such bombs are found annually in North Rhine-Westphalia, the state where Cologne is located. Each of the bombs defused this week was fitted with an impact fuse, which makes them less likely to detonate on their own but still highly dangerous if disturbed.
Kai Kulschewski, head of the explosive ordnance disposal department in neighboring Düsseldorf, which oversaw the operation, told local radio station WDR 5, “In that respect, they are dangerous, yes. But it’s definitely not the case that we need to panic.” His calm reassurance reflects the expertise and caution that characterize these delicate operations.
The evacuation had a significant impact on daily life in Cologne. Normally bustling streets were eerily empty, and cultural landmarks such as the Cologne Philharmonie and various museums closed for the day. Even more personal disruptions occurred: more than a dozen couples who had planned to wed at Cologne’s city hall had to relocate their ceremonies. Meanwhile, the city hospital evacuated intensive-care patients by ambulance to nearby facilities to ensure their safety.
Interestingly, despite the large-scale evacuation, few displaced residents sought refuge in official shelters. Many instead took advantage of the pleasant weather to stay with friends or family or find alternative accommodations, highlighting the community’s resilience and adaptability.
Incidents involving unexploded ordnance have occasionally had tragic consequences in Germany. In 2010, three workers died while attempting to defuse a bomb in Göttingen when it unexpectedly detonated. Similarly, a construction worker was killed in Euskirchen after accidentally triggering a wartime explosive during digging. Such incidents underscore the persistent dangers these remnants pose even decades after the conflict ended.
The Cologne evacuation comes amid a broader context of significant political and social developments in Germany. Chancellor Friedrich Merz was preparing for his first visit to the United States, set for Thursday, June 5, 2025, where he planned to meet US President Donald Trump. Their talks were expected to focus on critical issues including peace negotiations regarding the Ukraine war and the impact of US tariffs on German industry.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul emphasized the importance of the transatlantic relationship ahead of the meeting, saying, “Europe expects us — the United States and Europe — to bring Russia to the negotiating table. This opportunity for peace must not be missed. And this war must finally be brought to a just end.”
Meanwhile, Germany has been grappling with a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents, with the Federal Association of Research and Information Centres on Anti-Semitism (RIAS) reporting a 77% increase in 2024 compared to the previous year. The escalation was linked to the October 2023 Hamas-led terror attacks and the ensuing conflict, which significantly influenced the number and severity of antisemitic acts across the country.
Economic concerns also loom large. German mechanical engineering firms reported a 6% drop in orders in April, a downturn attributed in part to uncertainties surrounding US tariffs. The Association of German Mechanical and Plant Engineering (VDMA) highlighted the challenges brought by tariff threats and called for decisive action within Germany and Europe to navigate this turbulent trade environment.
Back in Cologne, the successful defusing of the bombs and the orderly evacuation marked a remarkable achievement in managing a complex and potentially catastrophic situation. It also served as a stark reminder of the lingering shadows cast by World War II on modern Germany, where the past quite literally lies beneath the surface, waiting to be uncovered.
As residents returned to their homes and the city reopened its bridges and streets, the episode underscored both the enduring legacy of history and the resilience of a community prepared to face unexpected challenges with calm and coordination.
