Germany: Thousands evacuated in Berlin after WWII bomb find DW 09/19/2025

"Thousands of people in central Berlin were ordered to evacuate on Thursday evening after an unexploded World War II bomb was discovered in the Spree River. Police have set up a security perimeter of 500 meters in a thickly populated area in the center of the German capital. Officers went door to door within the security perimeter to inform residents of the evacuation order."

"Berlin's Tagespiegel newspaper reported long lines at an emergency overnight shelter at the town hall in the Berlin Mittle district, with hundreds of people reported waiting to register for a place to spend the night. Another shelter at a nearby school was opened shortly after midnight to accommodate the high number of people. The neighborhood is also home to several embassies and city administration offices."

"Authorities said the bomb was discovered during construction work near the Fischerinsel in central Berlin. Checking for unexploded ordnance from World War II is common practice in German cities ahead of large construction projects. Police said the bomb will be defused in the early morning hours when divers will be able to carry out a closer inspection. The bomb is under four meters of water, and is covered in silt and slime, which complicates the operation, police said."

Thousands of residents in central Berlin were ordered to evacuate after an unexploded World War II bomb was found in the Spree River. Police established a 500-meter security perimeter in a densely populated central area and conducted door-to-door notifications. Emergency shelters at the town hall in Berlin Mitte and a nearby school received hundreds seeking overnight accommodation. The device was uncovered during construction work near Fischerinsel and lies under four meters of water, covered in silt and slime, complicating disposal. Authorities planned a defusal at first light, halted ship traffic, closed streets, and suspended subway line 2 service.

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