WWII Bombs in Cologne Trigger Massive Evacuation of 20,000 Residents

In a dramatic turn of events, over 20,000 residents of Cologne, Germany, were forced to evacuate their homes this week after the discovery of three unexploded World War II-era bombs. Unearthed during exploratory work on Monday, these relics of war—two American 20-hundredweight bombs and one 10-hundredweight bomb—prompted what officials have called the largest evacuation in the city since the war ended.

The operation to defuse these 80-year-old hazards was no small feat. The Düsseldorf district government's explosive ordnance disposal team worked tirelessly, finally completing the task just after 7 p.m. local time on Wednesday. Relief swept through the city as officials announced the bombs were neutralized, allowing roads and bridges to reopen and residents to return home, some via ambulance or shuttle buses.

The scale of disruption was staggering. Businesses, including the Eduardus Hospital, retirement homes, schools, and the Cologne Messe/Deutz train station, shut down temporarily. Traffic came to a standstill with roadways closed, and shipping along the Rhine River was halted. It’s a stark reminder of how the echoes of history can still paralyze modern life.

Cologne, a frequent target during WWII with over 260 Allied air raids, bears the scars of a tumultuous past. From the first Royal Air Force bombing in 1940 to the final assault in 1945, the city endured immense hardship. Yet, this week’s events show that some dangers linger long after the last shots were fired. As we reflect on this, one can’t help but marvel at the resilience of a city—and its people—that continues to rebuild, even 80 years on.