20,000 people evacuated after unexploded Second World War bombs discovered in Germany

The city called it the largest evacuation of its kind since the war ended.

Thousands of people were evacuated from central Cologne in Germany, after three unexploded World War Two bombs were found in the city’s Deutz district. 

The bombs, which were American and fitted with impact fuses, were discovered during construction work.

An evacuation zone with a 1,000 metre radius was put in place from 8 a.m. local time, affecting about 20,500 residents. The area included the city’s old town, a hospital, two retirement homes, and several schools, hotels and museums.

The evacuation caused serious transport disruption. Germany’s national rail company warned of delays and cancellations, and a part of the River Rhine was closed to traffic. The Rhine is a major route for goods such as coal and grain.

Unexploded bombs are still often found in Germany, especially in cities that were heavily bombed during the war.

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