Bomb find - 500 kilogram world war bomb is defused in Mainz
In Mainz, a roughly 500 kg heavy bomber bomb from the Second World War will be defused on Thursday. Approximately 10,000 residents within a 500-meter radius around the discovery site had to evacuate their homes by 9:00 am. Only then can the experts of the Clearance Service begin their work.
Before the defusing process, a mound of large sandbags was built at the site. This measure enables the evacuation radius to be limited to 500 meters. Given the location of the World War II bomb, this would otherwise be significantly larger, which Fire Department and Clearance Service want to avoid.
The unexploded British bomb, which did not explode over Mainz after being dropped, was discovered during construction work near an old Jewish cemetery. The fuse is reportedly still intact and difficult to access. Over 300 forces of the Fire Department and Civil Protection, as well as the Police, are involved in the operation.
Restrictions also in public transportation
Areas in the densely populated Mainz neighborhoods Hartenberg-Münchfeld and Neustadt are affected by the evacuation action. The main train station is located outside the exclusion zone, but passengers should expect significant restrictions in public transportation and the operation of Deutsche Bahn. According to the Rhineland-Palatinate Transport Association South, "around 11:00 am, train traffic around Mainz will be fully stopped." Trains are expected to resume operation approximately from 3:00 pm. The population is urged to avoid the evacuation area and the Alt- and Neustadt extensively.
According to the Mainz Transport Company, the following bus stops will be affected during the evacuation: Lessingstraße, Goethestraße, and Goetheplatz, as well as Hindenburgplatz to Bismarckplatz, King-Park-Center/Bruchwegstadion, SWR – Southwest Broadcasting, Am Judensand, Hartenbergpark, and Ketteler-Kolleg. The Mombach dispatcher of the German Railways must also stop the operation, according to a railway spokesperson. Trains coming from Bingen and Koblenz should reportedly turn around approximately from 8:00 am and possibly until 3:00 pm at the Mainz main station in Ingelheim.
According to the city's statement, no definitive duration for the measures can be given at this time. The population is asked to follow the media and pay attention to public address systems. The city organizes transportation and temporary accommodation for those in need.
- The consequences of not defusing the World War bomb in a timely manner could have devastating consequences for the city of Mainz and its residents.
- The discovery of the aerial bomb from the Second World War led to the evacuation of thousands of residents in the Rhineland-Palatinate region.
- The fire department and the Clearance Service in Mainz are working together to ensure the safe defusing of the bomb, which was found near a Jewish cemetery.
- The evacuation of citizens in Mainz has disrupted public transportation, including German Railways, and trains coming from Bingen and Koblenz are being rerouted.
- In case of emergencies, residents are urged to pay attention to public address systems, follow media updates, and seek temporary accommodation if necessary.
