Suche
Mein Konto
Gigantic bomb disposal in Osnabrück: 20,000 people evacuated!
On July 1, 2025, a large-scale evacuation will take place in Osnabrück due to the defusal of a 500 kilo bomb from the Second World War.
Gigantic bomb disposal in Osnabrück: 20,000 people evacuated!
There is a big drama going on in Osnabrück today: around 20,000 people have to leave their apartments and houses to defuse a 500 kilo bomb from the Second World War. This British aerial bomb was discovered during construction work in the Lokviertel and the evacuation is already in full swing. The police and public order office are checking the area to ensure that all residents have left the evacuation area in time. About 13,000 households are being checked and a helicopter is monitoring the situation from above.
The police have closed Osnabrück main station since 5 p.m., which is leading to diversions for long-distance and regional trains. Travelers are encouraged to find out about alternative connections. The closure is expected to last until at least 6 p.m. In addition, arriving trains can no longer stop at the main station, which affects many commuters. A full evacuation must be completed by 3 p.m. at the latest in preparation for bomb defusal.
Evacuation and restrictions
The evacuation area extends across the Lokviertel, parts of the city center and neighboring districts up to the Schlossgarten, Neumarkt and Johannisstrasse. Schools and two hospitals, the Marienhospital and the Christian Children's Hospital, also fall into the affected zone. While some patients are being transferred, planned operations at Marienhospital are allowed to continue for the time being, while others have to be postponed.
An evacuation center was set up in the high school in the desert, Kromschröderstrasse 33. Around 270 people are already accommodated here. The city administration was open to additional support; citizens can find out more and request help by calling 0541 323 4490. The situation is tense as it is not possible to return to the evacuation area until the measure has been completed.
Challenges in bomb disposal
Osnabrück is a city that is repeatedly confronted with unexploded bombs. Such dangerous discoveries have been made there in recent months. The city remains cautious with regard to future defusing and disposal of ammunition; she expects more unexploded bombs. This problem is not only local, but also affects larger metropolitan areas in Germany, where numerous defusing measures have been carried out in recent years.
As an analysis shows, for example, over 1,600 bombs were defused in North Rhine-Westphalia in one year, and such measures are also commonplace in other cities. Modern methods such as water cutting techniques have improved safety in these operations, but it is estimated that tens of thousands of unexploded ordnance remain in the ground, potentially leading to dangerous situations. Experts attribute this primarily to the numerous bombings during World War II and warn of the ongoing risks.
Overall, everything in Osnabrück is being done to bring the situation under control quickly, while the population is asked to remain calm and follow the authorities' instructions. Anyone who would like to find out more about the situation can find current updates on the city's website as well as on the NDR.de and Hasepost websites.
The city of Osnabrück is one of the leaders in Germany with its defusing service, but the challenges remain great. The developments in the next few hours will be crucial in overcoming this crisis.