Around 14,000 people in Osnabrück were evacuated to defuse four WWII unexploded ordnance. The bomb disposal team's work was delayed by over three hours due to people entering the restricted area. Mayor Katharina Pötter announced fines for the intruders.
The evacuation in Osnabrück began early Sunday morning to neutralize four WWII unexploded ordnance—three aerial bombs and one grenade. The discoveries were made during construction on the site of the former freight yard, where a new district is to be built. This was the seventh evacuation in the area over recent months.
The one-kilometer evacuation radius covered neighborhoods including Lokviertel, Fledder, Schinkel, Gartlage, and Schölerberg. Affected were two hospitals, a nursing home, and the main train station, which Deutsche Bahn closed, preventing regional and long-distance trains from stopping. The city set up an evacuation center at a comprehensive school, where around 900 people gathered by evening. Many stayed with friends or relatives; others had offers like discounted zoo and museum entries or theater tours.
The bomb disposal team's experts examined the sites. By 5 p.m., a 1,000-pound bomb was defused, followed shortly by a 100-pound one. The 500-pound bomb and grenade required detonation, involving earth moving and further checks. A bomb disposal expert expressed frustration: “We could have finished much earlier if our work hadn't been interrupted so often.” The intrusions made the task more dangerous.
Police and city staff checked buildings, but disturbances occurred: A young man refused to leave the restricted area and posted about it online; officers removed him. In the afternoon, a man who had overslept reported himself; he was escorted out, and proceedings for an administrative offense were initiated, with a potential 300-euro fine.
Mayor Katharina Pötter (CDU) thanked the patient: “I thank the citizens who patiently endured the evacuation.” She showed no understanding for the disruptors: “We will consistently exhaust the options to impose fines.” Another evacuation might follow on February 8.