World War II Bomb Unearthed and Defused in Hamburg Port

World War II Bomb Unearthed and Defused in Hamburg Port

A Blast from the Past

Construction work in the port of Hamburg took an unexpected turn on Tuesday, when workers unearthed a World War II aerial bomb. The relic of a bygone era, discovered near the Steinwerder cruise terminal, weighed approximately 500 kilograms and was of English design. The bomb was detected when an excavator unloaded its contents onto a barge, revealing the wartime artifact.

Rapid Response

Upon the discovery of the bomb, the fire brigade was alerted at around 5:30 p.m. The team arrived promptly and managed to defuse the bomb at the site five hours later. The bomb was then transported away by the authorities, preventing any potential havoc the bomb could have potentially caused.

Impact on the Vicinity

The unearthing of the bomb had a significant impact on the surrounding areas. An exclusion zone of 300 meters was established around the bomb site, and a warning radius of 1,000 meters was put in place. The Blohm + Voss shipyard, a water police station, and a cruise ship named “AIDAperla” were within this radius. The cruise ship, which was carrying around 2,600 passengers and crew members, was docked at the Steinwerder terminal when the discovery was made.

Affect on Local Activities

Several musical theaters in the area had ongoing performances at the time of discovery. After the performances, theatergoers were allowed to leave as planned. The cruise ship, however, was not permitted to depart due to strong winds. Passengers were instructed to move to the side of the ship furthest from the bomb. The surrounding streets were subsequently closed as the bomb defusing process began.

Defusing the Bomb

The bomb disposal expert was able to unscrew the impact detonator from the British World War II bomb while it was still in the barge and detonate it. Following the successful defusing operation, the roadblocks in the vicinity were gradually lifted, allowing life in the area to return to normal.

Conclusion

The discovery of the World War II bomb in Hamburg’s port served as a stark reminder of the city’s wartime history. The swift and effective response by the fire brigade ensured the bomb was defused and removed without causing harm or significant disruption to the local populace. The incident underscores the ongoing potential for such discoveries in areas heavily impacted by World War II and the importance of prompt and expert response when they occur.