On Wednesday, July 24, 2024, a 1,102-pound (500-kilogram) World War II bomb was discovered near Aulhausen, a district of Rüdesheim am Rhein, Germany.
This has prompted a major evacuation scheduled for Thursday, July 25, 2024.
As reported by PressePortal, the bomb disposal service has determined that the unexploded bomb cannot be safely defused and must be detonated.
Evacuation
The planned detonation will require extensive evacuation within a 1,000-meter radius around the site, affecting approximately 650 residents of the Rüdesheim district of Aulhausen.
The evacuation area will be closed off starting at 8 a.m. All residents are required to leave the area by this time.
Police will conduct visits to ensure buildings are cleared. Residents unable to leave on their own should call the citizens' hotline at 06124 - 510 510 for assistance.
A care center will be set up at the House of Associations, Rheinallee 3, in Assmannshausen for those affected who have no alternative refuge.
The area around the Niederwald Monument will also be closed, and the cable cars in Rüdesheim will resume operations only after the successful detonation. Visits to the Niederwald Monument and the Niederwald are not possible during this period.
Schedule and Contact Information
The bomb is scheduled to be detonated at 2 p.m. Following the detonation, the bomb disposal service will inspect the area before it is reopened.
The Rheingau-Taunus district's citizens' hotline will be open from 7 a.m. on Thursday. Citizens can contact this hotline with questions and concerns, especially those needing transportation assistance due to age or physical impairments.
Further information is available at www.rheingau-taunus.de/bombenfund.
