Bomb defusal in Hemmingstedt: traffic chaos and evacuations!

Bomb defusal in Hemmingstedt: traffic chaos and evacuations!

In Hemmingstedt, a small town in the Dithmarschen district, a bomb defusal is causing excitement and numerous restrictions. This Sunday, August 13, 2025, around 80 households will be evacuated and the public is asked to avoid the danger zone. A 225 kilogram British aircraft bomb that was found near the A23 Heide-Süd junction must be defused. The measures begin on Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m., while the defusing itself is planned for 10:15 a.m., as NDR reports.

For travelers, this also means restrictions on the A23 and B5. The motorway will be completely closed between the Albersdorf and Heide West exits, and train connections between Heide and Itzehoe will be discontinued. Passengers who want to travel to or from Sylt must also be prepared for disruptions. According to the police, the restrictions are necessary until the defusing measures have been completed.

The problem with the duds

In Germany, dealing with unexploded bombs from the Second World War is not a rare phenomenon. Around 5,000 bombs are found every year, with North Rhine-Westphalia having a particularly high proportion with 1,500 to 2,000 discoveries, as the Süddeutsche explains. Most of these bombs come from targeted attacks on industry in the Ruhr area.

The duds are often caused by technical errors or damage and usually cannot detonate if they land at a certain angle or are equipped with long-term detonators. These detonators are intended to ensure that the bombs only explode after hours or days - often a further risk for clean-up work and for the population.

The defusing process

The decision as to whether a bomb is detonated or defused is made directly on site by experienced specialists. Explosions are rare, while defusing is the rule. In some cases, however, bombs have to be detonated, for example if there are problems with the detonator that prevent them from being safely defused.

Another interesting aspect concerns the identification of unexploded bombs. The explosive ordnance disposal service uses around 250,000 aerial photos from the Second World War to identify suspected locations. These images are evaluated as part of the building permit process in order to prevent possible dangerous situations.

The defusing in Hemmingstedt is not just a local event, but reflects a much larger problem that affects many German cities. Residents are well advised to stay safe during this time and follow the advice of the authorities. Until the work is completed and the danger has passed, all we can do is keep our fingers crossed that everything goes smoothly.

For further information about the progress and safety precautions, those interested can follow the Borkener Zeitung.