Authorities in COLOGNE, Germany, have successfully defused three unexploded World War II bombs. The revelation of the devices earlier in the week led to the evacuation of more than 20,000 people.

the city announced on its website that the bombs were disabled at 7:19 p.m. local time on Wednesday, June 4. According to the announcement, the bombs were found in the Deutzer Werft area of Cologne-Deutz.

“Experts from the Rhineland Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service of the Düsseldorf District Government had rendered them harmless,” the city’s update read.

City officials have stated that roads and bridges are being gradually reopened,allowing residents to return to their homes. however, they cautioned that traffic disruptions are still expected.

Largest Evacuation Since World War II

The evacuation, which impacted rail service, churches, event venues, nine schools, and various daycare centers, was described by officials as the largest operation “since the end of World War II.” Some city services were also temporarily unavailable or postponed.

“everyone involved hopes that the defusing can be completed by wednesday,” city officials said.

The unexploded ordnance consisted of two American 20-ton bombs and one American 10-ton bomb, all equipped with impact fuzes. The evacuation zone had a radius of 1,000 meters.

According to German TV network DW, the defusing process was delayed because one resident refused to evacuate.”We can only start when the last person is out,” said Kai Kulschewski, head of explosive ordnance disposal in neighboring Düsseldorf, per the outlet.

Cologne’s Wartime History

During World War II, COLOGNE was subjected to 262 Allied air attacks. The first raid on May 17,1940,prompted approximately a quarter of the city’s 770,000 residents to evacuate,according to the National World War II Museum’s website. By the end of the war, only 20,000 people remained in the city.