Central Cologne came to a standstill on Wednesday, June 4th, after authorities launched the city’s largest evacuation operation since the end of World War Two, following the discovery of three American bombs with impact fuses.
More than 20,500 people were affected as an evacuation zone with a 1,000-metre radius was established at 8 a.m. local time. The alert disrupted life across Cologne’s old town and the bustling Deutz district, situated along the River Rhine.
The three bombs were uncovered during construction work on Monday in one of the city’s central districts. Bomb disposal teams are expected to disarm the ordnance later in the day.
“Everyone involved hopes that the defusing can be completed in the course of Wednesday. This is only possible if all those affected leave their homes or workplaces early and stay outside the evacuation area from the outset on that day,” the city authority said in a statement.
The evacuation triggered major transport disruptions throughout the city of over a million residents. Germany’s national rail operator issued warnings of widespread delays, rerouted trains, and cancellations.
