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Search operation in Hildesheim: Unexploded bombs threaten green spaces!
The search for unexploded bombs from the Second World War will continue in Hildesheim on November 26, 2025. Safety measures and possible construction delays characterize the work.
Search operation in Hildesheim: Unexploded bombs threaten green spaces!
In Hildesheim, the responsible authorities are considering a comprehensive examination of the underground in the stone pit to find unexploded bombs from the two world wars. According to information from NDR The measure is part of the redesign of a green area. The Hanover explosive ordnance disposal service has ordered selective drilling of the area in coordination with the city authorities. Around 800 to 1,000 square meters of excavated earth will be examined in order to get to the bottom of possible unexploded bombs.
The work is already underway. To protect the population, all buildings within a 500 meter radius were evacuated by 10 a.m. Safety precautions are essential as the danger posed by old ammunition remains high. Those responsible are currently not reporting any downtimes; work in the area of the northern stone pit is continuing continuously, with a planned completion in autumn 2026.
Explosive ordnance clearance is on an upward trend
A look at the past few years shows that the number of explosive ordnance clearances in Lower Saxony has increased significantly. Loud Niedersachsen.de In 2022, around 221 tons of unexploded bombs were recovered and disposed of in 1,216 operations. In the previous year's statistics there were 1,023 operations with a total of 164 tonnes. This increase is primarily due to the ongoing modernization offensive in road construction, which is leading to more frequent discoveries of old ammunition remains.
The dangerous relics from the Second World War are found not only in the province, but also in the North Sea. In 2022, almost 23 tons of explosive ordnance were recovered from the waters, which represents a significant increase compared to the previous year. In 2023, explosions had to be carried out on site 23 times because duds that could not be transported were found.
Safety and potential danger
The relevance of the explosive ordnance disposal service is emphatically emphasized by the Lower Saxony Minister for the Interior, Sport and Digitalization, Daniela Behrens. Reports from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service released this week also highlight that old ammunition continues to pose a significant risk. Aging processes and corrosion increase the risk of explosions, fires and the release of toxic gases, which is also documented in the KBD's current annual report.
Worrying events such as the discovery of phosphorus incendiary bombs - which ignite upon contact with atmospheric oxygen and can reach temperatures of up to 1,300 degrees - illustrate the urgency of explosive ordnance clearance. An incident in the Diepholz district, in which a farmer came across such a bomb while plowing, led to heavy smoke and required quick action by the fire brigade and the explosive ordnance service.
It remains to be seen how the situation in Hildesheim will develop and when the feared delays in the construction process might occur. The concerns about unexploded bombs meet the desire for a modern and livable city, with an eye always on the safety of its citizens Lower Saxony currently reported.