consequences of war
Air bomb found in Düsseldorf – thousands evacuated
Due to the discovery of an aircraft bomb from the Second World War, the roads leading to the evacuation area in the Düsseltal district have to be closed off. photo
© Christoph Reichwein/dpa
13,000 residents have to leave their homes by midnight. Local public transport has also stopped in the evacuation area – this has an impact beyond Düsseldorf.
During construction work in An American bomb from the Second World War has been found in Düsseldorf. The city of Düsseldorf announced on Twitter that the bomb weighed ten hundredweight, i.e. 500 kilograms.
According to the fire brigade, it should be defused by the explosive ordnance clearance service at night. To do this, all residents within a radius of 500 meters around the site should leave the area by midnight – according to the information, this affected 13,000 people.
The roads leading to the evacuation area in the Düsseltal district should be closed off. Tram lines U71, 706, 708 and 725 and bus line 812 stopped running until the end of the defusing. Rail traffic was also affected. The fire brigade announced that there would be restrictions between Düsseldorf and Duisburg as well as from Düsseldorf main station to Cologne. Bahn AG train traffic will be completely stopped for the duration of the defusing.
Rooms in two schools were open to affected residents, and bus transfers were organized for both. Cars should be driven away from the evacuation area whenever possible.