Cologne evacuates 6,000 for World War II bomb defusal

Around 6,000 people were temporarily evacuated from their homes in the German city of Cologne on Thursday evening for the defusal of two World War II bombs.

The city announced at 1:20 am (0020 GMT) that both unexploded ordnance had been safely defused. All road closures were lifted and residents were allowed to return to their homes. Train and tram services resumed without restrictions, and the devices were removed from the site.

Before the defusal, a major railway line was closed, impacting long-distance, regional and freight trains, a spokesman for rail operator Deutsche Bahn said.

The bombs — British devices with impact fuzes — were discovered during exploratory work in Cologne-Gremberghoven, next to residential buildings. A safety perimeter of 500 metres was established around the site. About 220 personnel from the fire department, public order office and other authorities were deployed.