World War II bomb defused in Dresden after mass evacuation

Thursday 07 August 2025 - 08:45

A British bomb dating back to World War II was successfully defused on Wednesday afternoon in the eastern German city of Dresden, ending a large-scale evacuation that affected thousands of residents.

The 250-kilogram explosive device was discovered on Tuesday during excavation works near the Elbe River, in an area where the Carola Bridge partially collapsed in September last year. The bridge, a crucial link between Dresden’s Old Town and other neighborhoods, has been undergoing restoration.

Due to the threat, around 17,000 residents were asked to evacuate early Wednesday morning while bomb disposal teams worked to safely neutralize the device. The affected area included parts of Dresden’s historic center, often referred to as the "Florence on the Elbe" because of its architectural beauty.

The discovery site was close to the iconic Frauenkirche, an 18th-century Protestant church that was completely destroyed in the devastating Allied bombings of February 1945 and later rebuilt stone by stone after German reunification.

Despite commemorating 80 years since the end of World War II earlier this year, Germany continues to grapple with unexploded ordnance. Such devices are frequently uncovered during construction or renovation works.

In January, a similar bomb was found in Dresden, prompting the evacuation of 10,000 people. In June, Cologne witnessed its largest postwar evacuation with over 20,000 residents relocated after three WWII-era bombs were unearthed.

Authorities in Dresden have thanked residents for their cooperation during the evacuation and confirmed that normal activity resumed after the operation.