Central Berlin evacuated as 1,000lb explosive war relict is uncovered

A major evacuation took place in the heart of Berlin today after construction workers unearthed a 1,000lb bomb from World War II. Around 10,000 people were forced to leave their homes and workplaces as authorities moved swiftly to contain the threat.

Police cordoned off large sections of the city, including the main train station, while disposal experts worked to safely defuse and remove the ordnance. These operations, while meticulously planned, highlight the persistent danger posed by unexploded ordnance decades after the war’s end.

The ongoing UXO threat in Germany and beyond

The discovery of unexploded ordnance (UXO) in Germany is far from a rare occurrence. The intense Allied bombing campaigns of World War II left a legacy of buried explosives, with an estimated 2,000 tonnes of UXO recovered across the country each year. In fact, on average, an unexploded bomb is discovered in Germany every week!

Such finds can be particularly dangerous for deep excavation projects, including blind piling works, which have the potential to detonate buried bombs. In 1994, a tragic incident in Berlin claimed the lives of three construction workers when an explosion occurred during piling operations.

Berlin is not the only city facing these risks. Similar discoveries are made worldwide. In January, construction workers in Hong Kong uncovered an identical model of WWII-era ordnance, prompting a major security operation. The UK also faces ongoing threats from UXO; only two months ago, the discovery of a German 1,000lb bomb led to the temporary closure of London City Airport.

The scale of UXO risk in Germany

Germany’s largest-ever peacetime evacuation occurred in September 2017, when 65,000 residents of Frankfurt were evacuated after a British RAF bomb was discovered. The device was one of the heaviest types used by Britain during WWII, a 1.4-tonne high-capacity bomb known as a “Cookie.”

While Allied forces dropped countless high-explosive bombs over German cities, the Luftwaffe deployed similar weapons against Britain. One example was the 1,000kg Luftmine B, which, unlike ground-penetrating bombs, was designed to detonate on impact after being slowed by a parachute. These air mines caused immense damage to British cities during the Blitz.

How Brimstone mitigates UXO risks

At Brimstone UXO, we specialise in mitigating the risks posed by unexploded ordnance, helping construction projects proceed safely and efficiently. Our Intrusive UXO Survey services allow construction teams to identify and avoid buried bombs before piling and excavation works begin. This ensures that high-risk activities can be conducted without the threat of accidental detonation.

With decades of expertise in UXO risk assessment and mitigation, we provide industry-leading solutions to safeguard workers, infrastructure, and the public. To learn more about our UXO risk mitigation services, click here.

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