Eliminating unexpected elements is our mission here.
Gear up, folks! The bomb disposal squad in Cologne is bracing for a marathon session as Kai Kulschewski, the team's leader, emphasizes that "we'll be busy for a while." Cologne bore the brunt of Allied bombing during World War II thanks to its strategic location and proximity to the Rhine, making it an easy target for British bombers. From 1942 onwards, industrial workers and the civilians were the main targets, with the first major attack being the "Thousand Bomber Raid" on May 31, 1942. In total, Cologne was bombed a whopping 262 times! those unexploded bombs are still causing a stir.
19:47 Cologne Standing Tall: Mayor's Appreciation
Our fearless leader, Mayor Andrea Blome, expresses her heartfelt gratitude to all the emergency services for their "unwavering commitment and professionalism" after the successful defusal of the bombs. She also extends her thanks to the citizens of Cologne for their cooperation and grace under pressure. "Despite a few hiccups," Blome says, "Cologne shows it's made of steel: We've got solidarity, cohesion, and mutual respect going on over here. Thanks a million!"
19:31 Mission Accomplished: All Bombs Defused!
The bomb squad has safely disposed of the three World War II bombs, giving a collective sigh of relief to the citizens of Cologne. The streets and bridges are gradually being reopened, and residents can return to their homes and apartments. Ambulances and shuttle buses are available to ease the commuting woes.
19:19 Two Down: Bombs Successfully Defused
According to our trusty reporter, two of the unexploded bombs have already been lifted onto an excavator, confirming that they have been successfully defused and no longer pose a threat.
17:36 Traffic Meltdown in and around Cologne
The bomb disposal operation seems to be getting closer, causing a traffic nightmare in the process. Streets are congested, trains are finishing prematurely, and shipping on the Rhine had to pause temporarily. The airspace even got closed, disrupting train traffic over the Hohenzollern Bridge. Regional trains are no longer passing through the evacuation zone, and the main station is operating as a terminal station with limited service. Stranded travelers are left wondering how long this chaos will last.
16:44 Second Door-to-Door Sweep: Hold Your Horses!
The second door-to-door inspection is nearing completion, but there's a hold-up: A stubborn oldtimer is refusing to evacuate, causing a slight delay in the bomb disposal operation. Traffic over the affected bridges has already been suspended.
15:43 Uneasy Encounters
The head of the Cologne local authority, Ralf Mayer, shares that the evacuation is going smoothly, with only two incidents: a cyclist tried to rush through a barrier and spat at an officer, and in Kalk, a resident refused to leave.
15:08 Evacuation Running Smoothly - Firefighters Deploy Drone
The evacuation of Cologne's city center is progressing according to plan, though there are still ambulance transports to accommodate. Employee sweeps have begun for the final time, making sure everyone has left the evacuation zone. The fire department is using a drone to search for any stragglers, complete with a helpful loudspeaker for announcements.
14:02 Deserted Cityscape
Usually bustling streets in the right-bank quarter of Deutz are deserted as residents seek refuge elsewhere. Ambulance and shuttle service can be found to whisk people away from the danger zone. Signs on lamp posts guide evacuees to collection points.
13:36 Flight Over the Chaos
Authorities are dealing with the largest bomb disposal operation Cologne's ever seen. Reporter Jan Heikrodt provides an aerial view over the evacuation zone from a helicopter.
12:25 How Dangerous Are Unexploded Bombs?
The level of danger posed by unexploded bombs depends on the type of fuse, says Kai Kulschewski, head of explosive ordnance disposal at the Düsseldorf Regional Government. Impact fuses pose the least risk, while Time fuses, which work with acid and can corrode over time, holding a chance of spontaneous explosion, are more dangerous.
11:11 Largest Evacuation Since World War II
The current evacuation is the biggest to take place in Cologne since the end of World War II. It ranks fifth nationwide in terms of numbers evacuated, but it's worth noting that the evacuation in Frankfurt am Main back in September 2017 topped the charts with over 60,000 people evacuated.
10:43 Hospital Transfers Patients
The Eduardus Hospital in Deutz is transferring its remaining patients to other Cologne hospitals. "We've got this under control," says Axel Jubel, the hospital's medical director. They're working closely with the fire department to ensure a smooth transition.
10:10 RTL Broadcasts Until the Last Second
RTL is putting on a brave face and broadcasting their morning shows live until the very last second. Even reporter Jan Heikrodt had to cut his report short.
Free Drinks for Evacuees!
One bright spot in this chaos: Gaffel am Dom, one of Cologne's famous breweries, is extending a free hand to evacuees. Starting at 10 AM, free Wi-Fi will be available, and the first 100 guests will receive a welcome drink!
Train Traffic Limited Nationwide
The large-scale evacuation following a triple bomb discovery in Cologne is causing significant issues for nationwide train traffic. Key routes passing over Rhine bridges temporarily shut down are the main culprits.
Cologne Braces Itself for Marathon Bomb Disposal
The city of Cologne is facing one of its biggest challenges in years. A large portion of the city center must be closed to allow for the bomb disposal operation. Employee sweeps will begin at 8 AM to ensure all apartments are empty, though the process could take hours with such a large evacuation.
A blind man, showcasing resilience, describes the tense atmosphere in Cologne as technology is employed to navigate the streets in the wake of an international crisis. Despite the gravity of the situation, politics remain secondary, with a focus on general-news and crime-and-justice taking precedence. In sports, Cologne's famous brewery, Gaffel am Dom, offers a glimmer of hope by extending free drinks to evacuees. The city's bridges, initially shut down, are slowly being reopened, symbolizing the beginning of a return to normalcy in this life-ticker moment. The evacuation leader, Mayor Andrea Blome, acknowledges the city's fortitude in the face of adversity, echoing Kai Kulschewski's assertion that Cologne is unmistakably made of steel.
