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Bomb discovery in Cologne-Weiß: Major evacuation planned today!
Unexploded bombs from the Second World War discovered in Cologne: defusing on June 17, 2025. Security measures and evacuations follow.
Bomb discovery in Cologne-Weiß: Major evacuation planned today!
On Tuesday, June 17, 2025, an unexploded bomb from the Second World War was discovered in the Weiß district of Cologne. It is an English two and a half hundredweight bomb weighing 125 kilograms, equipped with a rear impact fuse. This detonator reacts sensitively to vibrations, which is why a high degree of care is required when defusing it. The explosive ordnance disposal service of the Düsseldorf district government (KBD) decided to defuse the bomb on the same day in order to minimize possible dangers for residents.
A safety radius of 300 meters around the site was set in advance. This affects around 20 residents who have to leave their homes until the bomb is defused. The affected area includes the streets Fuchskaulenweg and Unterer Weißer Weg. The Cologne city public order office is working closely with the KBD to coordinate the evacuation and the necessary lockdown measures. Walkers and cyclists are asked to avoid the danger area, while road users should expect road restrictions as several nearby access roads have been closed.
Current situation and measures
Defusing the bomb led to comprehensive measures. The city of Cologne informs the public about current traffic routes on its website, on Radio Cologne, WDR and through the Cologne transport company. It is important to emphasize that such finds in Cologne are not an isolated case. It is estimated that numerous unexploded bombs from the Second World War are still stored in the city's soil. Around 40 percent of the more than a million bombs dropped failed to explode.
The defusing has a tentative schedule, but no set date yet. The authorities are working hard to find a quick and safe solution. Once defusing is complete, the population will be immediately informed of the all-clear. Already on Monday, June 2, 2025, three unexploded bombs were discovered in Deutz, highlighting the ongoing danger of inactive explosives in the city.
In this past case, two 20-pound American bombs and one 10-pound bomb were also successfully defused, amid extensive evacuation measures that affected around 20,500 residents. This situation was the largest evacuation after the end of the Second World War in Cologne. The events of the last few weeks demonstrate the ongoing challenge associated with disarming old munitions. The people of Cologne in particular must therefore regularly prepare for such incidents.
As part of the defusing, emergency accommodation was available for those affected in order to offer an adequate solution for those who could not find private accommodation. The city has endeavored to make these operations as transparent as possible and will keep citizens informed of any further developments.