As per reports, the City of Cologne carried out a large-scale evacuation to allow for the safe defusal of three unexploded World War II bombs at 0800 hours (local time) on Wednesday (04 June).

• Approximately 20,000 residents were evacuated from the designated safety zone.
• The defusal operation involves the removal of two 20-ton and one 10-ton American aerial bombs discovered on Monday (02 June).
• The evacuation zone includes critical infrastructure and sensitive facilities such as a hospital, two nursing and retirement homes, the Cologne City Hall and its Deutz branch (Stadthaus), Cologne-Messe/Deutz train station, and 58 hotels and accommodation establishments.
• Major institutions such as the television station Radio Télévision Luxembourg (RTL), the Wallraf-Richartz Museum, and Museum Ludwig are also within the affected radius.
• Three major Rhine bridges, Severinsbrücke, Deutzer Brücke, and Hohenzollern Bridge – will be to be closed during the evacuation and defusal operation.
• The entire old town (Altstadt) of Cologne falls within the evacuation area. While Cologne Cathedral lies just outside the perimeter, access to the vicinity may still be restricted.
• The bomb defusal operations will begin the complete evacuation of the affected area. Authorities have not specified the expected duration of the bomb defusal activities, and closures may extend until all operations are safely completed.