Displaying items by tag: Cologne

Authorities in Cologne have safely defused three large American World War 2 bombs after evacuating over 20,000 people in what officials described as the city’s largest operation since the war. Discovered in a shipyard, the bombs triggered the evacuation of a densely populated 10,000 sq m area, including homes, shops, schools, a hospital, a major train station, and cultural sites. Bomb disposal efforts could only begin once every resident was accounted for, with police warning that refusal to leave would lead to forced removal and fines. Ambulances transported intensive care patients, while couples scheduled to marry at city hall were relocated. The city ground to a halt: roads were closed, public transit was suspended, and normally lively streets went silent. While WWII bomb discoveries are not uncommon in Germany, the size and impact of this operation were exceptional. Authorities praised residents cooperation and reminded the public to remain calm and prepared, underscoring the lingering dangers of past conflicts.