Bomb find - Before bomb disposal in Mainz - evacuations underway
Preparations for the planned bomb disposal in Mainz are underway. People have until nine o'clock to leave their homes, said the city spokeswoman. The fire department of Mainz is driving through the affected area one more time with a loudspeaker vehicle and urging residents to leave their houses. "After nine o'clock, we will check again to see if all apartments have been evacuated."
Experts from the explosive disposal service can only begin their work then. A total of almost 10,000 residents are affected, who live within a 500-meter radius around the bomb site. Previously, a wall of large sandbags was built at the site. With this measure, the evacuation radius could be limited to 500 meters. Due to the location of the World War II bomb, this would otherwise be much larger, which the fire department and explosive disposal 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 detonator is reportedly still intact and difficult to access. Over 300 forces from 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 of 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 on public transportation and Deutsche Bahn operations. According to the Rheinland-Pfalz Süd transport association, "around 11:00 am, train traffic around Mainz will be completely stopped". The first trains should be able to run again around 3:00 pm. The population is urged to widely avoid the evacuation area and the Alt- and Neustadt.
According to the Mainz Transport Company, the bus stops at Lessingstraße, Goethestraße and Goetheplatz, the stops Hindenburgplatz to Bismarckplatz, King-Park-Center/Bruchwegstadion, SWR – Südwestrundfunk, Am Judensand, Hartenbergpark and Ketteler-Kolleg will no longer be in operation during the evacuation. The Mombach railway station of the Deutsche Bahn must also stop operations, according to a railway spokeswoman.
According to the city's statement, the duration of the measures cannot yet be determined. The population is asked to monitor the known media and pay attention to loudspeaker announcements. The city is organizing transportation and temporary accommodation for those in need.
Statement by the City of Mainz
- The evacuation in Mainz, initiated by the discovery of a World War II bomb, is being supported by German Railways, leading to restrictions in public transportation and Deutsche Bahn operations.
- The fire department and explosive disposal service are working together to handle the bomb find in Mainz, a task made more complex due to the intact detonator and difficult access.
- Emergency services, including the fire department, civil protection, and police, have been mobilized in large numbers for the bomb disposal operation in the Rhineland-Palatinate city of Mainz.
- The consequences of war continue to be felt in Mainz, as the city deals with an unexploded British bomb discovered during construction work near an old Jewish cemetery.
- Following the evacuation order, residents in affected areas such as Hartenberg-Münchfeld and Neustadt should heed the advisory from the City of Mainz to avoid the evacuation zone and alternative transportation arrangements.
