Bomb (Air Delivered) event in Germany on Tue 23rd January 2024

North Rhine-Westphalia Bomb in Essen: Defused today despite RWE game

As of: January 23, 2024 2:58 p.m

A ten hundredweight bomb was found in Essen this morning. According to the city, it will be defused today, even though there is an RWE home game nearby that evening.

The American bomb from World War II is located on the “Hagenbecker Bahn” sports field between Altendorf and Bochold. She was found during exploratory work. According to the city, the bomb will only be defused during the game this evening because of an RWE home game.
Avoid traffic disruptions

This is intended to prevent major traffic disruptions from occurring as much as possible. Although the stadium is not in the evacuation circle, many fans use the street near where the bomb was found as a route to the stadium. According to the city, Haus-Berge-Straße, for example, should remain open as long as possible, even though it is in the inner evacuation circle. The currently closed A42 is also putting a strain on the traffic situation.

The public order office started making loudspeaker announcements in the inner circle a few minutes ago. At the same time, the first evacuation run in the area started.

4,400 people affected by evacuation

All buildings within 500 meters of the bomb site must be evacuated. According to the city, around 4,400 people are affected. The city is currently setting up a care center. The people of Essen should stay in their house or apartment within a radius of up to 1000 meters away from the bomb and close all windows and doors. There are approximately 15,200 people in this outer circle.