World War II bomb successfully defused in Rastatt – all-clear for residents!

World War II bomb successfully defused in Rastatt – all-clear for residents!

On October 26, 2025, the city of Rastatt became the focus of attention for a few hours when a World War II bomb was discovered on a construction site for a new combined pool. However, the bomb, which weighed around 500 kilograms, was successfully defused without it detonating. This can be seen as a stroke of luck as the safety of local residents was never at risk.

A monument to history that rose from the belly of the earth! The bomb was uncovered at a depth of about five meters and upon careful inspection of the detonators there was no damage. This made the work of the explosive ordnance disposal service much easier, which had already removed the soil around the bomb on Saturday. The all-clear was given shortly before 12 p.m. when the authorities announced that residents had returned to their homes. But before that, around 3,000 people had to leave their homes while a 500-meter exclusion zone was set up around the site of the bomb discovery.

Evacuation and security measures

The evacuation measures were completed shortly before 11 a.m. Around 100 people were in the BadnerHalle, where they were temporarily accommodated. The city administration, led by Mayor Monika Müller (SPD), expressed gratitude for the work done by the helpers from the fire brigade, police, rescue services, THW and city employees, who gave everything to overcome this delicate situation.

Another aspect that was given special consideration during defusing was security. As a precautionary measure, the Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) built a two and a half meter high protective wall. This should catch the splinters and dampen the pressure in the event of a possible controlled explosion. Without this protective barrier, the evacuation radius would have had to double to 1,000 meters, which would have posed additional challenges.

Disrupted transport connections

Although there was no damage to the bomb itself, defusing it still led to disruptions in rail traffic. Train traffic on the Rhine Valley Railway between Karlsruhe and Baden-Baden was temporarily closed, and the airspace over the city also had to be closed during the defusing. Such measures are not unusual, as similar finds from the Second World War continue to come to light during construction work in Baden-Württemberg. Experts estimate that thousands of bombs are still hidden in German soil.

Overall, the defusing of the World War II bomb in Rastatt went smoothly and once again showed how important quick and precise measures are in such emergencies. Concern for the safety of residents was the top priority and thanks to the efficiency of the forces deployed, something worse was prevented. What the city of Rastatt will do next remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the memories of this unexpected mission will remain for a long time.