Nuremberg in shock: 21,000 people evacuated because of aerial bomb!

Nuremberg in shock: 21,000 people evacuated because of aerial bomb!

On a dramatic night from November 14th to 15th, 2024, Nuremberg was rocked by a major evacuation operation. The reason was the discovery of an American aerial bomb weighing around 450 kilograms, which was found behind the fortress during construction work at Avenariusstrasse 35 in the Großreuth district. Almost 21,000 people had to leave their homes, a step that was made necessary by the omnipresent danger of unexploded World War II bombs, such as those that can still be found in Germany. Loud South German newspaper the evacuation did not go entirely smoothly; there was a ten-hour delay between discovery and complete evacuation of the affected quarters.

The drama of such an operation attracts many helpers. There were around 1,500 emergency services on site who, through precise planning and great commitment, ensured that no one was in danger. The emergency was also about improvisation: a 14-story hotel at Nuremberg Central Station provided accommodation for 150 stranded guests during the evacuation. The situation was not easy as the hotel staff faced increased workload and breakfast had to be served in conference rooms as the regular breakfast floor had to remain closed.

The lives of people in the evacuation area

Reaction from residents was mixed - many were skeptical of the evacuation orders given their proximity to the evacuation radius. This uncertainty is understandable, considering that World War II bombs that were dropped decades ago can still become dangerous due to aging and corrosion Ithy explained.

The all-clear was finally given at 3:30 a.m.: the unexploded bomb was successfully defused. Just ten minutes later, the city informed the temporarily evacuated residents that they could return to their homes. It was the largest evacuation operation in Nuremberg since a World War II bomb was found, and the coordinated work of various authorities, fire departments, police and civil defense was highly praised by many, including those in retirement homes Northern Bavaria held on.

The dangers of old bombs

Why is evacuation so important in such incidents? Because the explosives in old bombs, such as this aerial bomb, can potentially become unstable. Uncontrolled detonations create pressure waves and fragments that can cause devastating damage. The legally required evacuation radius varies depending on the bomb type and condition and can be up to 1000 meters. In Cologne-Deutz, for example, over 20,000 people had to be evacuated to defuse World War II bombs.

However, there were also positive moments for the people who were in the hotel during the evacuation: among the guests there were knitting women from North Württemberg who became friends, exchanged addresses and discussed the current situation. Ultimately, this incident was not only a test for Nuremberg's emergency response, but also for the sense of togetherness among those affected.