Mass Evacuation Underway in Dresden as WWII-Era Bomb Threatens City

Dresden, Germany is bracing for its largest evacuation since World War II as authorities prepare to defuse a 250-kilogram British bomb discovered near the site of the collapsed Carola Bridge. The evacuation zone, encompassing a 1,000-meter radius, includes critical infrastructure and cultural landmarks such as the Frauenkirche and the Semper Opera House, as well as government buildings, healthcare facilities, and social institutions.

Discovery and Evacuation

The suspicious objects were found on the banks of the Elbe river in the area where restoration operate on the Carola Bridge is planned. Investigators confirmed one of the items was an unexploded bomb from the British Royal Air Force. The impending defusal operation necessitates the evacuation of an estimated 50,000 residents, marking the largest such operation in the city since the devastating Allied bombing raids of 1945.

Carola Bridge Collapse and Previous Bomb Finds

The discovery comes after four bombs were found during the demolition of the partially collapsed Carola Bridge last year, requiring a previous evacuation of 17,000 people in August 2024. The Carola Bridge initially collapsed on September 11, 2024, with a 100-meter section falling into the Elbe river. The bridge, originally built in 1895, was also destroyed by the SS in 1945 to slow the Soviet advance. A replacement bridge, constructed between 1967 and 1971, is currently undergoing complete demolition following the September 2024 collapse. Investigations revealed the collapse was caused by hydrogen-induced stress corrosion of the bridge’s steel components, a difficult-to-detect form of deterioration.

Dresden’s WWII History

The impending evacuation evokes painful memories of the Allied bombing of Dresden in February 1945, which resulted in the deaths of up to 25,000 people and the destruction of approximately 90% of the city center. The bombing remains a deeply sensitive topic in German history.

Ongoing Disruptions

In addition to the evacuation, the defusal operation and bridge demolition continue to disrupt traffic and infrastructure in Dresden. The collapse of the Carola Bridge initially caused major traffic chaos and halted ship traffic on the Elbe. The bridge collapse also caused the bursting of district heating pipes, leading to a complete standstill in hot water supply throughout the city.