COLOGNE (dpa-AFX) - In Cologne, an estimated 20,000 people will have to leave their homes on Wednesday because three World War II bombs have to be defused. It is one of the largest evacuations in recent years, said a spokeswoman for the city of Cologne. The evacuation area includes museums such as the Museum Ludwig and the Wallraf-Richartz Museum, as well as large companies such as the television station RTL.
The entire old town of Cologne is also within the cordoned-off area. Fifty-eight hotels and other accommodation providers have to be evacuated.
Three bridges over the Rhine will also have to be closed. The Cologne-Messe/Deutz train station, Cologne City Hall and its branch on the Deutz side, a hospital, and two nursing and retirement homes will also be evacuated. Cologne Cathedral is just outside the evacuation area.
The bombs are two American 20-centner bombs and one American 10-centner bomb. They were discovered on Monday.
Bomb disposal is nothing unusual in Cologne, which was one of the most heavily bombed cities in World War II. The first "Thousand Bomber Raid" by the British Royal Air Force on a German city took place on the night of May 30-31, 1942. /cd/DP/stw
