Increasing bomb discoveries in North Rhine-Westphalia: Münster had to evacuate again!

Increasing bomb discoveries in North Rhine-Westphalia: Münster had to evacuate again!

The situation surrounding the World War II bombs in North Rhine-Westphalia remains tense. In the first half of 2025, the number of unexploded bombs defused rose to 94, compared to 75 in the previous year. These statistical figures highlight a worrying trend: defusings are reaching their highest level in a long time. As MS Aktuell reports, the evaluation of historical aerial photographs played a crucial role, as more than half of the finds can be traced back to this. In 2024, for example, 182 bombs were cleared across the country, and the threat from these remnants of World War II remains high.

In Münster, nine bombs were defused in the first half of the year alone, with the concerns of local residents always being the focus of the authorities. There are many suspicious points in the city alone that point to further operations. On August 14th, another suspected point was uncovered on Herdingstrasse, which may require evacuations within a 250-meter radius. The close coordination between the explosive ordnance disposal service, the fire department and the public order office ensures structured operations. But the situation has also worsened in Cologne.

Evacuation operation in Cologne

In June 2025, Cologne carried out the largest evacuation operation since the Second World War. Over 20,000 people had to leave their homes within 1,000 meters of the site of three large bombs. As ZDF Today reports, there were several large companies, nine schools and 58 hotels in this exclusion zone. The renowned Hohenzollern Bridge had to be closed, which brought all rail traffic to the main station to a standstill. These comprehensive measures pose major challenges for the authorities and place a heavy burden on local residents.

However, the ordnance disposal teams showed a good hand: they defused the three bombs, including two 20-pound bombs and one 10-pound bomb, faster than expected. Residents were able to return to their homes at 7:19 p.m., but traffic disruptions continued. Residents reported uncertainty and had to adapt to the situation quickly. Despite these challenges, the evacuation remained largely smooth, local media reported.

The ongoing danger of unexploded bombs

Every year between 1,500 and 2,000 bombs from the Second World War are found in North Rhine-Westphalia. Of these, around 200 are large calibers. The numbers vary greatly, depending on the construction activity and the targeted searches for space. In the first half of 2025 there were 19 targeted finds, which represents an increase compared to the previous year. Detecting these unexploded bombs is not only a technical but also an organizational masterpiece, as the safety of local residents is always the top priority.

The reporting on these events makes it clear that the danger from unexploded bombs is not only an issue in the cities affected, but affects all citizens in North Rhine-Westphalia. The constant increase in defusing could indicate that further measures and operations can be expected in the coming year. The pitfalls of war are far from completely eliminated, and the commitment of city governments to protect their citizens remains an enduring challenge.