World War II Bombs and Anti-Tank Mine Defused in Brandenburg, Germany; Thousands Evacuated

Authorities in Brandenburg, Germany, successfully neutralized several explosive devices, including two 250-kilogram World War II bombs and an old anti-tank mine. The operations took place in the vicinity of Hohen Neuendorf and Oranienburg in the Oberhavel district, as well as in the southern part of Frankfurt (Oder).

As a safety measure, around 3,000 residents living near the bomb disposal sites were evacuated from their homes. The defusal efforts led to temporary traffic restrictions in the affected areas. In Frankfurt (Oder), residents in the Lossow district were also impacted, but they were able to return to their homes by mid-morning following the successful detonation of the devices.

The evacuation zone, established with a radius of approximately 1,200 meters around the bomb sites, extended into residential areas, necessitating the temporary displacement of inhabitants and road closures. While the defusal in Frankfurt was completed earlier, the closures in the Berlin metropolitan area were maintained longer. The Hohen Neuendorf town administration confirmed that the detonations were successful and the exclusion zone was lifted by 2:46 PM, allowing residents to return and roads to reopen.

Following the defusal, the surrounding forest areas were watered by firefighters due to a high risk of wildfires. The operation also caused disruptions to public transport, affecting the Borgsdorfer S-Bahn station, which fell within the exclusion zone. Businesses like the 'Gartenmarkt Pflanzenkölle' and 'Kita Krümelkiste' in Hohen Neuendorf were also temporarily affected by the closures.