Overview

• A 250‑kilogram British bomb was uncovered during Betuwe‑line works at Wesel station, with officials confirming a damaged fuze that requires a controlled detonation scheduled for about 20:00 on Monday.
• Authorities ordered an evacuation within 600 meters from 18:00 to approximately 21:00 affecting around 6,500 people, with Bundespolizei keeping the safety zone sealed until roughly 22:00.
• Rail traffic at Wesel was curtailed, including the suspension of RE5 replacement buses between Friedrichsfeld and Wesel, RE19 trains terminating in Dinslaken or Mehrhoog, and Bocholt services running only to Hamminkeln, with additional replacement transport arranged.
• Local services moved residents from a nearby senior facility to a designated sports hall, and the city opened a reception center for evacuees while roads were widely closed during the operation.
• In Cologne, construction surveys identified suspected sites that could involve one or more WWII bombs, with further checks through Wednesday and a possible Thursday disposal that may require evacuating up to 13,000 people including a hospital, a ventilation facility and a nursing home.