The German city of Cologne is evacuating some 20,500 people from a large area in the city centre so experts can defuse three unexploded bombs from World War Two.

The American bombs were discovered on Monday in a shipyard in the Deutz neighbourhood, the city said in a statement.

Unexploded ordnance can still pose a danger and the city has sealed off the zone within a 1,000m (3,280ft) radius, in what it described as "the largest operation since the end of WW2".

Homes, shops, hotels and schools have been told to evacuate, as well as a large hospital and major train station.

"If you refuse, we will escort you from your home - if necessary by force - along with the police," the authorities said.

Residents were told if they refused to leave their homes after the evacuation began they could face expensive fines.

Some intensive care patients were helped out in ambulances from the Eduardus Hospital.

Finding bombs from World War Two is not unusual in German cities such as Cologne and Berlin, but the difference here is that these bombs are particularly large.

Germany's bomb disposal service plans to defuse the devices on Wednesday, but it can only be done once all residents in the densely populated area leave for their own safety, the city said.

The evacuation in the Old Town and Deutz neighbourhoods began with officials going door to door to tell people they must leave their homes.

Many of the city's usually bustling streets were eerily deserted as shops, restaurants and businesses were told to stop operating during the day.

Cultural institutions including the Philharmonic Hall and many museums have been affected, as well as government buildings, 58 hotels, and nine schools.

Transport was severely disrupted, with all roads are closed in the area, many trains cancelled and the Messe/Deutz train station was closed from 08:00 local time (07:00BST).

The authorities have set up two drop-in centres for people who don't have anywhere to go during the evacuation period.

Residents were told to "stay calm", bring their ID and any essential medications, and to take care of their pets.

Cologne Bonn Airport said flights would continue as usual but travelling to the airport by train or road may be difficult.

For some people, the evacuation was more than a little inconvenient. Fifteen couples were scheduled to get married at Cologne's historic town hall but the ceremonies were relocated to a location in another part of the city, local media reported.

Source:
courtesy of BBC NEWS

by Gabriela Pomeroy

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