Experts from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service in Rheinland successfully defused three unexploded bombs in Cologne’s Deutz district on Wednesday evening, the city of Cologne announced.
The operation, the largest evacuation effort since 1945, involved a total of 665 personnel, including 240 staff from the Cologne Order Office, 24 colleagues from Bonn and 451 firefighters, with numerous volunteers from aid organizations, who transported a total of 282 ambulances. Aid organizations also provided support at the assembly points in the fairgrounds and old town and the City of Cologne’s Geo-Information System Competence Center contributed with interactive maps.
The World War II bombs, two weighing 20 kilograms each and one weighing 10 kilograms, were found on a Deutz wharf on Monday, necessitating an evacuation zone of one kilometer. Approximately 20,500 people, including the Eduardus Hospital and several old people’s homes, had to leave their homes. Many hotels, restaurants and shops remained closed, while large companies sent their employees to work from home. Despite the challenges, the evacuation generally ran smoothly, with only a few instances of resistance from local residents.
City Director Andrea Blome expressed gratitude to the emergency responders and the public for their patience and cooperation during the measures. As the streets and bridges are gradually being reopened, residents are now able to return to their homes.