CNN
–
The German city of Cologne has moved 20,500 people with its largest evacuation since World War II.
The American bomb said two 20 tonnes weapons and two weapons weighing 10 tonnes — were found at the shipyard on Monday, and a huge “danger zone” would be sealed on Wednesday morning.
The hospital, two retirement centres and the city’s second largest station were one of the empty facilities. The school, church, museum and two of the city’s cultural landmarks, the Musical Dome Theater and the Philharmonic Hall, also fell within the evacuation zone.
The discovery of unexploded weapons is a frequent phenomenon in Cologne, destroyed by Allied bombings during World War II, but has not been operational of this size since the end of the war, the city said.
“All those involved hope that defusing can be completed by Wednesday,” city officials said in a statement. “This is only possible if everyone affected leaves their homes and workplaces early and stays outside the evacuation area from the start.”
The city told residents to avoid “keeping calm (and preparing yourself)” for evacuation, visiting friends and family, and avoiding workplaces in sealed areas.
Officials said they “cannot make reliable predictions” about how long the operation will take, adding that experts will not be able to soften the bombs until the entire area is evacuated.
“If you refuse, we will escort you from your home – with the police if necessary,” the city’s statement said.
Allies carried out 262 air raids in Cologne during World War II, nearly killing them 20,000 residents Leave the city in abandoned. Almost every building in the old town was destroyed, and 91 of the city’s 150 churches were similarly destroyed.
Major reconstruction efforts were made after the war, reconstructing the old town and rehabilitating major landmarks.
However, if unexplosive weapons are found, small evacuations are carried out regularly. Around 10,000 residents had to leave their homes in October when another American bomb was discovered, and 3,000 were asked to evacuate in December.
