In the town of Erkelenz in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, a bomb from World War II has been discovered during construction work, leading to the evacuation of around 4350 people. The city has closed off the city center to traffic for the bomb disposal operation.
The bomb, weighing at least one ton and with two fuses, was found during underground sewer repair work. The explosive ordnance disposal service examined the location of the bomb.
More than 40 streets are affected by the evacuation, with people within a 400-meter radius being asked to leave for safety. This includes approximately 45 streets and even a senior citizen home in the area. The residents are being taken care of in a school center during the evacuation process.
While the railway line is still operational, travelers are advised to take an alternative route to the city center as the direct path is affected by the evacuation. Once all people have left the evacuation area, the bomb disposal operation will commence. However, due to one of the bomb fuses being severely damaged, it cannot be disarmed completely. The bomb will be removed from the city center after disposal and detonated in a controlled area at a later time.
The safety of the residents is the top priority during this operation, and authorities are working diligently to ensure a smooth and secure evacuation process. Stay tuned for updates on the situation in Erkelenz as the bomb disposal operation progresses.