Aerial bomb discovered in Böblingen – 400 people evacuated!

Aerial bomb discovered in Böblingen – 400 people evacuated!

An unexpected find caused a stir in Böblingen on Thursday: Workers discovered an aircraft bomb from the Second World War at a construction site on the federal highway 81. This hummer weighs an impressive 250 kilograms and required extensive measures to protect the population. The discovery was made around 2 p.m. and set alarm bells ringing. Experts from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service were immediately on site to assess the situation and ordered defusing that same evening, according to Tixio.

In order to defuse the high-risk bomb, a 400 meter evacuation radius was set up around the site. By 10:30 p.m., around 500 people had to leave their homes, hotels and even a barracks, including participants at an event. The city of Böblingen coordinated the necessary measures and ensured that the concerns of those affected were taken seriously. A citizen telephone was set up and the police appealed to the population to follow the instructions of the emergency services and avoid the area, as SWR reports.

Security measures and traffic disruptions

The A81 motorway was completely closed in both directions from 10:30 p.m., causing significant traffic disruptions. Motorists heading towards Stuttgart were diverted at the Böblingen/Sindelfingen junction, while those heading towards Singen had to leave the A81 at the Sindelfingen-Ost exit. The S-Bahn service between Böblingen and Sindelfingen/Stuttgart-Vaihingen also stopped operating and regional and long-distance transport connections were interrupted. Part of the Mercedes plant in Sindelfingen was affected, but vehicle production was able to continue without interruption because the evacuation was carried out in a targeted manner.

The planned defusing of the bomb took place at 11 p.m. By then, the emergency services had taken all the necessary safety precautions. The Böblingen Congress Hall served as a contact point for the evacuated people, although no registrations had been received so far. This shows that the measures were implemented successfully and the city's population could be protected from potential dangers.

Explosive ordnance disposal in Germany

The disposal of explosive ordnance, such as the aerial bomb found here, is an important part of public safety. In Germany, the explosive ordnance disposal service takes on this task, which includes not only civilian but also military ordnance. After the Second World War, responsibility initially lay with the Allied occupying powers before the federal states finally took control. In Germany, each federal state has its own explosive ordnance disposal service, which is crucial for a coordinated and effective approach when such dangerous discoveries are made, as Wikipedia explains.

Explosive ordnance disposal is carried out through precise reconnaissance and planning to ensure the safety of local residents. Historical surveys are essential to determine explosive ordnance contamination in an area. Techniques such as geophysical detectors are used to identify irregularities in the Earth's magnetic field. Explosive ordnance that cannot be handled must be defused or detonated on site, a measure that is of utmost importance in such critical situations.

The situation in Böblingen is another example of how important the work of explosive ordnance disposal is for the safety of the population. Even if the shocks that such discoveries bring are unpleasant, the rapid response of the authorities and the cooperation of local residents is crucial for successful defuse. Today's events have shown once again that dangers left behind in the past are still present today and that collective action is crucial to ensuring that all residents are safe.