World War II Bomb Safely Defused at BASF Site in Brandenburg

The 250-kilogram bomb, discovered earlier this month, prompted evacuations and transport disruptions before being neutralized by experts.

A 250-kilogram World War II-era bomb was successfully defused on the BASF factory grounds in Schwarzheide, Brandenburg, on December 20, 2024.
The bomb was discovered during construction work on December 5, leading to extensive safety measures for its removal.
A one-kilometer evacuation zone was established, affecting around 200 residents and BASF employees, many of whom worked remotely or were on holiday leave.
Key transport routes, including the Bundesstraße 169 and a railway line between Cottbus and Ruhland, were temporarily closed with detours and suspensions in place.
Specialist bomb disposal teams completed the defusal operation by late morning, allowing residents to return to their homes and normal operations to resume.