Thousands evacuated from Dresden over World War II bomb threat

On August 6, 2025, approximately 17,000 residents were evacuated from the center of Dresden, Germany, as authorities prepared for the defusal of an unexploded World War II bomb. The 250-kilogram British-made bomb was discovered during construction work on the Carola Bridge, which had previously collapsed. The police of Saxony announced an evacuation area with a radius of about 1,000 meters around the bomb site in order to ensure the safety of the public during this potentially dangerous operation. Authorities mandated that the evacuation be completed by 9 a.m. local time, and emergency services began to secure the restricted area shortly after. Around 3 a.m. ET, police confirmed that the area was cleared, and defusing operations were initiated as planned. Bombs of this nature are often uncovered throughout Germany, highlighting the lingering dangers from the bombing campaigns in World War II. Just two months earlier, in June 2025, a significant evacuation took place in Cologne, where 20,000 people were forced to leave after three WWII bombs were discovered. As authorities dealt with the unexploded bomb, they emphasized that the risk associated with such explosives demands swift action and preparedness. The defusal of the Dresden bomb was completed successfully, and the device will be transported to a disposal site northwest of the city. This incident not only demonstrates the ongoing impact of historical warfare but also the consistent threat that unexploded ordnance poses to modern-day populations across Germany. In conclusion, the operation served as a reminder of the far-reaching effects of the past, where remnants of conflict still harbor potential danger to civilian communities and warrant immediate action by local authorities to ensure public safety.