Unexploded WWII Bomb Found in Berlin Prompts Evacuation of 10,000 Residents

A World War II-era bomb, which had remained unexploded for 80 years, was discovered in the Spree River in Berlin’s Mitte district, causing a major disruption. Authorities immediately established a 500-meter security perimeter and ordered the evacuation of approximately 10,000 people from their homes on Thursday evening. Emergency shelters were set up in the Mitte town hall and a nearby school to accommodate the displaced residents. The affected area included several embassies and government offices, leading to heightened security measures. The bomb was found four meters deep in the river, buried in mud and sediment, which complicated the operation. After a night of uncertainty, authorities announced on Friday morning that the bomb did not need to be defused. As a result, residents were allowed to return to their homes. During the operation, river traffic was halted, several roads were closed, and services on metro line 2 were suspended. This was one of the largest bomb evacuation operations in Berlin in recent years.