Huge flying bomb in Koblenz: Evacuation and defusing threaten!

Huge flying bomb in Koblenz: Evacuation and defusing threaten!

in Koblenz is a decisive measure today: a 500 kilogram flying bomb from the Second World War is to be defused. The bomb was discovered during dredging work in the Rhine, near the Pfaffendorfer Bridge, and is currently on an excavator ship that was maneuvered in the Güls Moselle arch to carry out the defusing, such as the Borkener Zeitung reported.

The flying bomb has two intact detonators, which justifies the need to defuse on site. According to the ordnance, the bomb is not allowed to be relocated. This means that the defusing on the ship has to take place, which brings logistical challenges.

evacuation of affected areas

Around 1,000 people are affected by the evacuation, which is significantly reduced compared to the approximately 16,000 people who would have been affected in a larger radius around the Pfaffendorfer Bridge. The evacuation must be completed by 8:30 a.m. this day. Affected areas include Koblenz-Lay, the Güls campsite and the sports harbor Güls, such as the Stadt Koblenz reported.

To support the evacuation, loudspeaker announcements in the affected areas are carried out. The Koblenz fire brigade telephone can be reached for further information on 0261 40404-8000. Children from the daycare center and the Lay primary school will be looked after in the Schützenhalle Lay from 8 a.m. People without an accommodation option have the opportunity to stay in the Legiahalle in which no pets are allowed and no meals are provided.

sustainable safety precautions

As part of the defusing, federal road 416 and the railway line along the Moselle are blocked throughout the measure. However, the federal road 327 and the Layer Bergweg remain passable. The waste disposal in Lay is also ensured before evacuation.

The risk of blind passers from the Second World War also remains a serious topic in Germany decades after the end of the war. Several thousands of such explosive relics are found every year, and it is not uncommon for bombs to be discovered during construction work. This often requires the evacuation of entire districts, since the blocking area can vary around the bombs between 50 meters and one kilometer, such as planet knowledge.