Huge bomb in Gensingen defused: 3,000 people evacuated!

Huge bomb in Gensingen defused: 3,000 people evacuated!

On May 8, 2025, a 500 kilogram bomb from the Second World War was successfully defused in Gensingen. The Rhineland-Palatinate ordnance service identified the dangerous proper ammunition as an American AN-M65 flyer bomb. The detonator was in the rear of the bomb and was pretended, which made additional precautionary measures necessary. The defusing team was well prepared, and the entire process only lasted about an hour and went more easily than originally expected. Over 400 emergency services, including the fire brigade, police and civil protection, were on duty throughout the day to ensure the safety of the residents.

The site of the bomb that was discovered during dike construction was on the nearby at the nearby bridge, near the Gensingen sports field. In order to protect the population, the evacuation on the 1000-meter radius around the site began on Thursday at 7 a.m. with a planned defusing at 2 p.m. To ensure that all people were evacuated in time, about 3,000 residents had to leave their apartments and houses. During the evacuation, regulatory authorities and fire brigade were in action to ensure that nobody was in the danger area.

evacuations and emergency accommodation

The affected communities made daycare centers, primary schools and supermarkets in Gensingen to ensure security during defusing. An emergency shelter was set up in the Nahelandhalle in Grolsheim, where more than 100 people and three dogs were looked after during the measures. Among the evacuated were ten handicapped people who needed support to get to the Nahelandhalle. The meals on site included simple foods such as potato salad with sausages.

The protective measures taken from a planned defusing are usually necessary to protect the life and health of the population. Often numerous personnel and organizational resources have to be mobilized to ensure security in the area. The most common instructions to the population include taking important personal matters such as identification papers and medication and also taking piles.

digital and personal communication

The authorities had set up a citizen phone to offer those affected during the evacuation measures. Emergency services addressed the people concerned directly and informed them about the necessary behaviors. Information was provided not only via personal speeches, but also via loudspeaker announcements as well as digital channels such as the Internet and social media to ensure that all residents were informed in good time.

For the coming days, the authorities have given the prospect of references to reimbursement of the apartments. The professional cooperation between the police, fire brigade and civil protection was crucial for smooth evacuation and defusing, and the authorities were satisfied with the course of the measures.