About 6,500 people were ordered to evacuate after a 250-kg World War II bomb was found in central Potsdam. Authorities set a 700-metre exclusion zone and suspended train services at the city’s main station while emergency teams conducted door-to-door checks. Bomb disposal expert Mike Schwitzke said the defusing should take roughly 30–60 minutes. Unexploded WWII ordnance is still commonly unearthed during construction in Germany, often triggering large-scale evacuations.
Thousands Evacuated as 250-kg WWII Bomb Set to Be Defused in Potsdam
Residents of the City-Quartier nursing home must leave the facility due to the planned bomb disposal operation in downtown Potsdam. Parts of downtown Potsdam are being evacuated due to the disposal of a 250-kilogram bomb from World War II. (is associated with: «Thousands evacuated as experts prepare to defuse WWII bomb in Potsdam») Sven Kaeuler/dpa
Authorities in Potsdam ordered a large-scale evacuation after a 250-kilogram World War II bomb was uncovered in the city centre during construction work. Around 6,500 residents were asked to leave their homes by 8:30 am [06:30 GMT] while emergency teams checked buildings and secured the area.
Evacuations and Local Disruption
A 700-metre exclusion zone was established around the US-made ordnance. Train services at Potsdam's main station were temporarily suspended, and roads and nearby facilities were closed as officials cleared the zone and conducted safety checks, going door to door to ensure residents had evacuated.
Planned Defusing Operation
Bomb disposal expert Mike Schwitzke said the defusing was expected to take between 30 minutes and an hour. Teams worked methodically to minimise risk and to reopen the area as soon as it was safe to do so.
“Our priority is the safety of residents and emergency personnel,” a city spokeswoman said, noting that final checks were ongoing before the operation began.
Why This Still Happens
Unexploded ordnance from World War II remains frequently discovered across Germany — more than 80 years after the conflict ended. Such finds, often revealed during construction projects, regularly prompt significant evacuations and temporary disruption to transport and local services.
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