On the evening of December 17th, 2024, the city of Cologne, Germany, found itself grappling with the discovery of a World War II bomb, stirring both concern and urgency among the local residents. A World War II aerial bomb, identified as an American 10-centner bomb equipped with an impact fuse, was unearthed during construction work near the intersection of Luxemburger Straße and Greinstraße.
Authorities received news of the ordnance found close to significant landmarks, including the Justice Building and the massive Uni-Center, which is one of Europe’s largest residential buildings. The University Center, completed in 1973, stands tall at 134 meters high with three towers housing nearly 1,000 apartments and more than 2,000 residents.
According to the city, the bomb’s discovery initiated immediate action with plans set to defuse it on the same evening. While the timing of the bomb's disarmament was fluid and dependent on effective evacuation measures, officials had yet to provide definitive timings around 11:30 PM.
The area surrounding the find was set to be cordoned off and evacuated, affecting approximately 3,100 individuals. The emergencies prompted responses not only from the municipal authority but also saw the involvement of the Bomb Disposal Unit from the Düsseldorf Government (KBD), ensuring safety during this potentially hazardous operation.
To manage the situation effectively, the Ordnungsamt—essentially the public order office of Cologne—laid out plans for road closures and the necessary evacuations. They established barriers around the affected area, encapsulating it within a 350-meter radius from the site of the discovered bomb, restricting access and alerting citizens to keep clear. The police began setting up cordons around 9:15 PM, leading to significant traffic disruptions.
Key streets such as Luxemburger Straße and Universitätsstraße were strategically shut down to facilitate these evacuations and limit civilian traffic. Meanwhile, public transport routes were disrupted, particularly affecting KVB Line 18, which suspended services to multiple stops within the danger zone.
Concerned residents received updates through various warning systems, including local media broadcasts and the BIWAPP emergency alert app. The app, which stands for Citizen Information and Warning App, served as a tool for rapid communication, advising residents to avoid the area and follow instructions from emergency responders.
The initial evacuation point set up for both guidance and safety was established at Theodor-Heuss-Realschule located at Euskirchener Straße 50. By around 11 PM, about 160 individuals had congregated at this temporary shelter, awaiting updates and information on the timeline of events.
Initially, the operation saw some transport for medical emergencies, with approximately 21 patients reported to require transit as part of the evacuations. While residents were understandably anxious about being uprooted from their homes, officials stressed the importance of safety and adherence to emergency directives.
Late on Tuesday evening, as preparations for the final stages of the bomb deactivation proceeded, authorities anxiously awaited confirmation of the extent to which residents cooperated with the evacuation efforts. City officials announced around 10 PM the completion of the first round of notifications to residents, marking progress toward the ultimate goal of safely neutralizing the threat posed by the long-forgotten ordinance.
This isn’t Cologne’s first experience with remnants from the World War II era; unexploded bombs are quite prevalent across Germany due to the extensive bombing campaigns conducted during the conflict. These relics continue to pose risks, leading to periodic alarms when discoveries occur. Bomb disposal operations are carefully coordinated to guarantee public safety, often involving multiservice collaboration across local law enforcement and emergency services.
Heading toward midnight, the anticipation and tension around the event heightened as locals and authorities alike hoped for the safe conclusion of the operation. The realities of living within proximity to historical remnants took on immediate urgency as the clock ticked closer to the set time for the bomb disarmament.
Overall, the discovery of the World War II bomb serves as a stark reminder of the past's remnants impacting modern life. Such events compel communities to remain vigilant and prepared for the unexpected, showcasing human resilience and readiness to confront any danger from long-ago conflicts.
