Authorities in Dresden, Germany evacuated around 18,000 residents after the discovery of a 250-kilogram British bomb from World War II near the banks of the Elbe River. The operation became the largest evacuation ever carried out in the eastern German city.
The explosive device was discovered during construction work on a bridge, part of which had previously collapsed in 2024. Bomb disposal experts successfully neutralized the device, preventing potential danger to nearby residents and infrastructure.
The evacuation operation began around 09:00, involving more than 400 police officers, as well as helicopters and drones to ensure that homes, shops, schools, nursing homes, and offices within a one-kilometer radius were cleared.
Among the affected buildings were some of Dresden’s most important historic landmarks, including the Zwinger Palace and the Frauenkirche Dresden. Authorities said the bomb will now be transported to a specialized facility for safe destruction.
This is not the first such discovery in the city. Additional WWII bombs were found and defused in January and August 2025, reflecting the lingering legacy of the Allied bombing of Dresden on February 13–14, 1945.
