Suche
Mein Konto
Bomb discovery in Bochum: 2,500 residents have to leave their homes!
On August 12, 2025, two World War II bombs were discovered in Bochum. 2,500 residents had to be evacuated while 240 emergency services carried out the defusal.
Bomb discovery in Bochum: 2,500 residents have to leave their homes!
On Tuesday, August 12, 2025, an event was reported to the city of Bochum that tore many residents from their homes. During exploratory work in the area of the Emil von Behring School, the emergency services came across two World War II bombs weighing 250 kg. This discovery immediately led to a comprehensive defuse and evacuation operation. Over 2,500 people had to leave their homes because a safety distance of 320 meters had to be maintained from the site of the discovery. The evacuations and road closures, such as on Dorstener Straße (B226), were initiated in a coordinated manner in the afternoon Antenna NRW reported.
The defusing operation began shortly after 7 p.m. in the evening and is expected to take a considerable amount of time. More than 240 emergency services were mobilized to safely manage the situation on site. The fire and rescue services of the city of Bochum, as well as the press spokesman, informed the public about the current status and the necessary measures.
Evacuation details and support services
A care center has been set up at the Feldsieper School for the evacuees and has been available since 3 p.m. The hotline on 0234 910 5555 has also been set up to provide information to affected residents. It is particularly worth mentioning that residents of Ortelsburgerstrasse with even house numbers were not directly affected by the evacuation, but were only able to leave their residential area until 2:45 p.m. due to the road closures.
The authorities advise avoiding the affected area and driving around as far as possible. To facilitate communication, local media, such as local radio, are recommended as a source of information. The Citizen Information and Warning App (BIWAPP) is also in use to disseminate relevant information, they said News.de, which published these warnings.
Preparations and recommendations for action
In such situations it is important to be well prepared. The Idepta gives practical tips: Citizens should only take what they need, such as ID cards, health cards and cash. It is recommended to prepare an emergency backpack for two to three days, including warm clothing, blankets and basic hygiene items.
Additional preparation is necessary, especially for families: diapers, baby food and feed should also be packed. When evacuating, it is advisable to close windows, turn off lights and follow the instructions of emergency services.
These events are not just limited to Bochum; Similar situations often occur in large cities such as Cologne. In 2022, for example, over 40,000 people in Cologne were affected by evacuations. City administrations are constantly working to be prepared for such emergencies, with citizen information systems continually being optimized to ensure the safety of the population.