Rail traffic in northern Germany: bomb defusal causes chaos!

Rail traffic in northern Germany: bomb defusal causes chaos!

A huge uproar has gripped northern Germany, especially in Osnabrück, where around 20,000 people have to leave their homes today because of a bomb defusal. The cause of the dramatic developments is a 500 kilogram bomb that was found during construction work in the Lokviertel. The city of Osnabrück ordered the evacuation at 8:00 p.m. to enable rapid defusing. Around 6,500 households within a radius of 1,000 meters from the site are affected, and the evacuation should be completed by 3 p.m., as Antenne Unna reports.

But the situation is not just a question of personal living space. Rail traffic is also significantly affected. Several embankment fires in Hamburg, Lower Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt are also causing delays and diversions on the routes between Berlin and the Ruhr area as well as Hamburg and Berlin. Deutsche Bahn has advised travelers to check their connections before starting their journey. These diversions are expected to lead to delays of up to 40 minutes and trains will no longer stop at Osnabrück main station, further exacerbating the already tense situation.

A continuing danger

The challenges facing Osnabrück are not new. Two weeks ago, the city had to evacuate 11,000 people due to a bomb discovery. The incidents highlight the constant danger posed by unexploded ordnance from the Second World War. [Stern].

In 2024, a total of 1,606 bombs were found and defused in North Rhine-Westphalia, representing an increase of over 40 percent compared to the previous year. Most operations were registered in Cologne, where the city has the highest number of explosive ordnance defusals. 11,060 applications have been received and 729 explosive ordnances have been discovered, meaning that the need for a well-founded and responsive explosive ordnance disposal strategy is becoming increasingly clear.

The crisis on site

The Ministry of the Interior in North Rhine-Westphalia has emphasized the importance of these defusing measures. Interior Minister Herbert Reul is concerned about the ongoing danger of unexploded bombs that are coming to light as construction activity increases. In 2024, the state financed almost 20 million euros for explosive ordnance clearance, with around 1.9 million euros being reimbursed by the federal government, showing how serious the situation is. There were also special finds, including bombs with dangerous long-term detonators.Ruhr24 makes it clear that 182 bombs weighed over 50 kg and some had to be detonated in a controlled manner on site.

The situation in Osnabrück is a clear sign that the aftereffects of the Second World War can still be felt today. The evacuation operation not only poses major challenges for the residents, but also affects the entire railway infrastructure. From regulating daily commuters to utility lines, authorities must act as quickly as possible to ensure everyone's safety. It remains to be seen how the situation will develop, but the background to the bomb defusal and the constant danger from historical explosives remain a serious issue for the cities and communities affected.