WWII bomb found at Cottbus railway site, triggering evacuations and train delays

An unexploded aerial bomb from World War II has been discovered at a construction site within the railway yard in Cottbus, Germany, prompting immediate safety measures and transport disruptions. The discovery necessitated the establishment of a 500-meter exclusion zone around the site, requiring residents and businesses to evacuate their premises by 11:00 AM on Thursday.

City officials announced that train services would be maintained until approximately 12:00 PM, after which significant restrictions and cancellations are expected. The 250-kilogram American-made bomb must be defused on-site due to the impossibility of safe transport. This marks the second such discovery at the Cottbus railway yard in just over a month, following the defusal of another World War II bomb in early June.

Cottbus has a history of encountering unexploded ordnance. Last year, World War II bombs were also rendered safe near the train station. The railway yard itself is a relatively new development, with the German railway company Deutsche Bahn having commissioned a new ICE maintenance facility there in January 2024. A second workshop hall is currently under construction at the site.

The repeated discoveries underscore the persistent danger posed by unexploded bombs from the war, even decades later, and the ongoing efforts required to manage these risks during urban development and infrastructure projects.