World War II US bomb found in Rhine river near Cologne
Evacuations are planned for the Rheinpark area as authorities prepare for defusal operations.
Talivio News · Global1 min read
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A 250-kilogram US bomb from World War II was found in the Rhine river at the level of Rheinpark in Köln-Deutz, Germany.
The area around Rheinpark in Köln-Deutz must be evacuated for the defusal process. The evacuation radius around the bomb's location is 400 meters.
360 people
Approximately the number of individuals required to leave the area
The evacuation affects parts of the Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer and the St. Kunibert church on the left bank of the Rhine. The broadcasters RTL Deutschland and ntv are also affected because their headquarters are located at the adjacent Picassoplatz. Many of the 360 people leaving the area work for RTL Deutschland.
Defusal is scheduled for Thursday, August 7, 2026. It is unclear whether the bomb was discovered due to current low water levels in the Rhine or during river works.
Due to the evacuation, the news program 'RTL Aktuell' will be broadcast from the capital studio in Berlin instead of Köln, Germany, at 18:45.
Updates
The defusal operation is expected to take place on Friday, August 7, 2026, according to the City of Cologne. The evacuation affects approximately 360 people, primarily residents of a senior citizens' home, and covers extensive areas including Zoobrücke, Tanzbrunnen, Kennedyufer, Bastei, and Konrad-Adenauerufer.
The defusal of the bomb is expected to take place on Friday, August 7, 2026, with the evacuation affecting approximately 360 people, primarily residents of a senior citizens' home. The evacuation zone has been specified to include large parts of the Rheinpark, areas around the Zoobrücke and Tanzbrunnen, as well as sections of the Kennedyufer, Bastei, and Konrad-Adenauerufer.
According to the City of Cologne, the defusal operation is expected to take place on Friday, August 7, 2026. The evacuation affects approximately 360 people, primarily residents of a senior citizens' home, and covers broad areas including the Zoobrücke, Tanzbrunnen, and several sections of the Rhine banks. Additionally, ntv plans to broadcast from a mobile studio near the Hyatt Hotel starting this afternoon.
The defusal of the 250-kilogram bomb is expected to take place on Friday, August 7, 2026, according to the City of Cologne. The evacuation will affect approximately 360 people, primarily residents of a senior citizens' home, and covers specific areas including the Zoobrücke, Tanzbrunnen, and various sections of the Kennedyufer, Bastei, and Konrad-Adenauerufer. It remains uncertain whether a major railway bridge near the Cologne Cathedral will be closed during the operation.
The City of Cologne confirmed the defusal is scheduled for Friday, August 7, 2026, with approximately 360 evacuees—mainly residents of a senior citizens' home—affected across Rheinpark, Zoobrücke, Tanzbrunnen, Kennedyufer, Bastei, and Konrad-Adenauerufer, while the 250-kilogram bomb is set to be deactivated during daylight; ntv will broadcast from a mobile studio near the Hyatt Hotel, though the status of the railway bridge near Cologne Cathedral remains unknown.
