Germany Evacuates 30,000 After WWII Bomb Discovery

Authorities in Germany evacuated up to 30,000 residents from the city of Pforzheim after the discovery of a massive World War II-era bomb during construction work.

Police said emergency crews began large-scale evacuation operations on Sunday morning after workers uncovered an HC-4000 aerial bomb in the city’s eastern district.

Officials confirmed that the device weighs approximately 1.8 tons, including around 1.35 tons of explosive material, making it one of the largest unexploded wartime bombs found in the region in recent years.

The evacuation zone covers a radius of roughly 1.5 kilometers around the discovery site, affecting parts of the city center and forcing tens of thousands of residents to temporarily leave their homes.

Authorities stated that firefighters and police are currently checking whether all residents within the restricted area have complied with evacuation orders, warning that the process could take several hours before bomb disposal experts can begin defusing the device.

Rail services towards Karlsruhe and Stuttgart have been heavily disrupted, while parts of the public transport network were suspended. Officials said nearby motorways remain fully operational.

The bomb was discovered during construction work earlier this week, though city authorities stressed there was no immediate danger to residents at the time of the discovery.

Pforzheim Mayor Peter Boch described the situation as an exceptional challenge, praising emergency services, police, and bomb disposal teams for their professionalism during the operation.