Cologne is in the middle of its largest evacuation since the Second World War. This extreme action was taken after three bombs from that 22-year-old conflict were found unexploded. About 20,000 residents will temporarily evacuate their homes and business as police, fire, and security officials take extraordinary steps to protect public safety. The bombs were unearthed on Monday during construction work near the Deutz shipworks, situated on the right bank of the Rhine River.
Local officials acted swiftly when told US-made bombs were dropped. Chief among them are two 1,000-kilogram bombs and one 500-kilogram bomb. Armed with impact fuzes that trigger on hard-target impact, the bombs are extremely dangerous. Authorities were expected to neutralize them Wednesday morning.
Cologne, one of the most heavily bombed cities in Germany in the Second World War, suffered through a mind-boggling 262 air raids. These attacks were apparently carried out by the Royal Air Force (RAF). Most famously, on May 30, 1942, the city served as the target of the RAF’s first “thousand-bomber raid.” Operation Millennium also released the largest aerial attack to date, with 868 bombers dumping 1,455 tons of explosives all over Cologne. It was a brutal campaign, resulting in over 20,000 deaths.
Following Friday’s discovery of the bomb, local officials have begun implementing a massive multi-city evacuation effort. Beyond neighborhoods, dozens of schools, hospitals, grocery stores and other basic services have been affected. Among the facilities being evacuated are hotels, the old folks’ home and the local hospital. In addition, schools, kindergartens and museums have all shut down to protect the citizens during this crucial time. Regrettably, the tram network in Cologne, Germany, has been shuttered. Furthermore, authorities have closed three bridges over the Rhine to direct traffic and prevent possible dangers.
This evacuation presents an important opportunity for Cologne, mirroring the city’s complex histories during the wartime years. Officials are imploring residents to respect any evacuation orders in order to allow responders to safely operate near the bomb sites. City officials are working diligently to coordinate with emergency services and ensure that displaced individuals receive necessary support during this challenging time.