The lack of rain has made for unprecedented low water levels on the Rhein. This has exposed some heavy bombs that no one knew were there. On Wed. and Thurs. 4 bombs were exposed. On Sun. 4 Dec. they are evacuating almost half of Koblenz so that they can defuse them. 45,000 of the 107,000 residents will need to leave their homes for the day. Planned is to have the evacuation begin at 09:00 and the defusing begin at 15:00. They had hoped to be done with this quickly, but because of them finding more new bombs this week, it could go on longer on this day. Anyone planning on traveling to Koblenz on this day, might want to re-arrange their schedules. Right now, the DB is saying that trains will NOT be stopping in Koblenz between at least 09:00-14:00, they suggest it may be later. Koblenz is a popular place to switch trains if you are going up and down the Rhein, so look for another method, like taking the ferry across the river. I haven't read anything though about the ships and the low water and also whether they will dock at Koblenz, but that might be something to check out if this was on your plans.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33847 posts
Oh dear. Good that they have been found (70+ years later). I hope everything goes smoothly.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32353 posts
Jo, I "second" Nigel's sentiments. I hope everything goes well. After that long in the water, they could be very unstable. I suspect there are many more that they haven't found yet.
Posted by
Richmond, Virginia, USA
345 posts
Gives a whole new meaning to "Rhine in Flames"........
8-)
Posted by
Vienna, Austria
517 posts
Posted by
California USA
4103 posts
We spent several weeks in a house less than 1/2 block from the river doing a house exchange a couple of years ago. I KNOW that family will be evacuated! Hope everything is handled safely and efficiently for the diffusers and the residence of Koblenz.
Posted by
Columbia, SC
389 posts
It's fascinating how the implements of war of seventy years ago are still causing major disruptions.
Posted by
OP
Frankfurt, Germany
9221 posts
Just a reminder to plan your train route differently today, 4 Dec. if you were planning on stopping in Koblenz or if you wanted to drive through. Wishing them luck with the defusing. This is what happened in Goettingen a while back: http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/2010/06/02/three-german-bomb-disposal-experts-killed-when-second-world-war-device-explodes-86908-22303952/
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32353 posts
Jo, This story was just aired on CTV News. The story indicated that all residents within a 2 kM radius of the device have been evacuated. Here's a link to the story if you're interested.... www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/World/20111203/koblenz-germany-bomb-disposal-evacuation-111203/ The device is probably going to be very unstable, so I wish them good luck!