Mass evacuation in Cologne after a World War II bomb was discovered in a park
Authorities in Cologne discovered an unexploded World War II bomb in Klettenberg Park, leading to the immediate evacuation of around 8,400 people within a 500-meter radius. The bomb needed urgent disarmament due to its rear fuse.
The bomb was of British origin and weighed about 450 kilograms, found in the southwest of the city. City officials and bomb disposal units in North Rhine-Westphalia quickly cordoned off the area to ensure public safety.
A temporary shelter has been set up at a nearby school in the Lindenthal neighborhood to accommodate people who were evacuated during the bomb disposal operation. Authorities have not immediately specified a date for the complete dismantling of the bomb.
These operations are common in Cologne, a city that faced significant threats during World War II due to its industrial, cultural, and logistical importance. Just a week ago, another bomb disposal operation was carried out in the city, highlighting the ongoing risks from war remnants.
Cologne was the site of the first "Thousand Bomber Raids" carried out by the Royal Air Force on May 30-31, 1942. Although the city center was largely destroyed, the famous Cologne Cathedral survived almost unscathed, remaining a historical reminder of the city's past during the war.