Decades After WWII, Unexploded Ordnance Remains a Daily Challenge in Germany

Eighty years after the war's end, bomb disposal teams in regions like Rheinland-Pfalz and Hessen continue to manage frequent discoveries of wartime explosives.

• Bomb disposal teams in Rheinland-Pfalz and Hessen respond to daily reports of unexploded ordnance, including bombs, grenades, and mines from World War II.
• Since 2021, nearly 70 bombs weighing over 50 kilograms have been safely removed in Rheinland-Pfalz, with a recent 250-kilogram bomb defused in Bitburg.
• The disposal process has become more complex due to environmental regulations, requiring careful transport, dismantling, and controlled incineration of explosive materials.
• In Hessen, over 60 tons of munitions were recovered last year, with historical aerial imagery aiding in locating potential danger zones, especially during construction projects.
• Despite the risks, bomb disposal experts emphasize safety and professionalism, likening their work to learning to drive: initially daunting but manageable with experience.

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