Overview
- Bomb-disposal experts made safe an American 10‑Zentner World War II bomb uncovered during construction in Cologne’s Lindenthal district.
- City officials said about 4,400 residents were cleared to return to their homes once the operation ended.
- Authorities established a 500‑meter safety zone, closed key roads, and evacuated the St.-Elisabeth Hospital before specialists began work.
- Emergency crews arranged 86 patient transfers from the hospital and kept some streets closed longer to move roughly 100 medical transports.
- Unexploded WWII ordnance is still often found in German cities, and even 100‑kilogram bombs can force wide evacuations because disturbed fuzes can still trigger a blast.