Germany

COLOGNE (Germany) — An estimated 20,000 people will have to leave their homes in Cologne on Wednesday after the discovery of three World War II bombs which need to be defused, German Press Agency (dpa) reported.

The evacuation is one of the largest in recent years, said a spokeswoman for the city authorities on Monday.

The affected area includes museums such as the Museum Ludwig and the Wallraf-Richartz Museum, as well as large companies such as the television station RTL.

RTL plans to broadcast its early morning news programmes live from its broadcasting centre in the Deutz district, but its later show will not be broadcast.

Other programmes will be broadcast live from the company’s studio in Berlin.

The entire historic centre of Cologne also falls within the lockdown radius, with 58 hotels and other accommodation providers to be evacuated.

Three bridges over the Rhine will be closed. The Cologne-Messe/Deutz railway station, Cologne City Hall, a hospital, and two nursing and retirement homes will also be evacuated.

The Cologne Cathedral is just outside the evacuation area.

The three bombs, each weighing about one tonne, were discovered on Monday.

Bomb disposal is a normal occurrence in Cologne, one of the most heavily bombed German cities during WWII. — BERNAMA-dpa