World War II bomb successfully defused in Berlin-Neukölln

Berlin authorities successfully defused a 100-kilogram World War II aerial bomb late Wednesday, bringing an end to a large-scale operation that had disrupted thousands of residents in the Neukölln district.

The bomb was discovered around 10:40 a.m. during a planned search for wartime remnants in the Neukölln Ship Canal, between Teupitzer and Treptower streets. A 500-meter exclusion zone was established around the site, necessitating the evacuation of approximately 5,600 households. Residents were permitted to return to their homes shortly before midnight after the bomb's fuse was safely separated and neutralized.

The evacuation process extended longer than initially anticipated, partly due to the presence of several care facilities within the exclusion zone. While residents of a nearby senior citizens' home were allowed to remain indoors, others were required to leave their residences. Police officers went door-to-door, and loudspeaker vehicles informed the public, with warnings also issued via the Katwarn warning system.

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There is no longer any danger. All cordons have been lifted.

Public transport services were also affected, with bus lines M43, 171, and 166 rerouted. The district established an emergency shelter at the Adolf-Reichwein-Schule on Sonnenallee, with capacity for 200 people.

Law enforcement and emergency services, including police, fire departments, and the Technical Relief Agency (THW), deployed around 200 police officers to manage the operation. The German Red Cross assisted with the evacuation of residents. Police spokesperson Martin Halweg emphasized the significant danger posed by the bomb, noting the risk of severe injury or death in the event of an explosion.

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The danger of being injured or even killed in the event of an explosion is very high for those living immediately near the site.