Incendiary event in Altenessen, Essen area, Germany on Wed 5th June 2024

Phosphorus bomb discovered at former gas station: effects and blocking in Essen

At the former Oil gas station in Altenessen, a phosphorus bomb was discovered, which led to significant restrictions on the B224. The Essen fire brigade reacted immediately by securing the find with sand and sealing off the site at Gladbecker Straße 285. The ordnance clearance service from Düsseldorf was called in to dispose of the bomb properly. The police detached a section of Gladbecker Straße between Hövelstraße and Bäuminghausstraße towards the city centre, which led to traffic obstructions. The surrounding roads were also affected by the closure, which led to considerable delays in the afternoon traffic.

As a result of the bomb find and the associated measures, residents and road users were called upon to avoid the closed areas and to comply with the instructions of the emergency services. At the same time, the eastern district was preparing to blast two world war bombs on Evonik's site. These measures have been taken to ensure the safety of the population and to eliminate possible dangers.

The incident at the former gas station in Essen reminded the residents of the city of the consequences of the Second World War and the still existing danger of unexpected ordnance in the ground. The discovery of such historical means of weapons is not uncommon in Germany, especially in cities that were heavily bombed during the war. The authorities are continuously working to reliably defuse such finds and protect the population.