The evacuation of a 500-meter safety radius in Berlin-Neukölln is officially complete, allowing the bomb disposal team to prepare for neutralizing a 100-kilogram World War II aerial bomb, according to the Berlin police. “There are no more people in the 500-meter exclusion zone,” police spokesperson Florian Nath stated to the Deutsche Presse-Agentur. “The entire radius is now free of people.”
Discovery and Transport of the World War II Bomb
The device was discovered on Wednesday on the bed of the Neukölln Ship Canal, situated between Teupitzer Straße and Treptower Straße, according to police statements. A police spokesperson noted that the discovery occurred during work in the canal at approximately 10.40 a.m. Authorities subsequently recovered the bomb from the water and placed it on a floating ponton. A crane is scheduled to lift the device ashore for final neutralization.
Did You Know? Bombs from the Second World War remain a regular occurrence in Berlin, with multiple discoveries happening every year during routine construction and waterway work according to police officials.
Evacuation Impacts and Affected Residents
Residents across 5,600 households faced mandatory evacuation measures, requiring them to leave their homes by late evening. The affected exclusion zone encompasses a senior residence, a homeless shelter, and a daycare facility. Police noted that the clearance took comparatively longer than usual due to multiple care facilities within the radius, which required specialized medical transports for immobile individuals. Bus lines M43, 171, and 166 experienced detours implemented by the Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe.
Bashar Bader, a 27-year-old resident, reported that an officer knocked on his door at approximately 12.30 p.m. “We had to leave the building because of the aerial bomb,” Bader said, noting he grabbed his laptop before waiting out the restriction. Amira Huppertz, 41, grabbed her children and essentials from her Treptower Straße home after officers intervened while she was cleaning her kitchen.
Emergency Shelter and Public Safety Measures
Authorities established a temporary emergency shelter with roughly 200 places at the Adolf-Reichwein-Schule on Sonnenallee 188, accessible via Böhmische Straße 20. Police utilized the NINA warning app shortly before 5.00 p.m. to issue urgent alerts, warning that anyone remaining inside the exclusion zone faced mortal danger. Loudspeaker vehicles patrolled both banks of the canal to broadcast safety warnings while officers conducted door-to-door checks.
Planned Neutralization Process
The actual neutralization process is expected to last approximately two hours, according to police statements provided by Halweg. Authorities plan to deploy a high-pressure water cutting system equipped with a special sand to cut out the fuze. “It works with a special sand that simply cuts out the fuze,” the police spokesperson emphasized. Officials stated it remains unconfirmed whether the 100-kilogram device is of Russian, American, or British origin.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the bomb be neutralized?
The neutralization work will begin as soon as participating authorities, including air traffic control, give the green light. Police have noted that the operation could finish quickly or extend well into the night.
How many households were affected by the evacuation?
Residents of 5,600 households were affected by the evacuation measures and had to leave their apartments until late in the evening.
Where can evacuees stay during the operation?
An emergency shelter with roughly 200 places was set up at the Adolf-Reichwein-Schule located at Sonnenallee 188, with access via Böhmische Straße 20.
Related reading