250 kg aerial bomb recovered in Wilhelmsburg – emergency services needed!

250 kg aerial bomb recovered in Wilhelmsburg – emergency services needed!

In Wilhelmsburg, more precisely at Kattwykdamm, there was a shocking discovery today: During exploratory work in a construction site, workers came across a 250 kg English-made aerial bomb. This was about seven meters deep and turned out to be a serious danger. The incident was immediately dealt with by the Hamburg fire department and the police.

To ensure the safety of residents, comprehensive measures were quickly taken on site. A blocking radius of 300 meters and a warning radius of 500 meters have been set up. The emergency services had their hands full. A total of 27 firefighters were deployed to bring the situation under control. The men and women of the fire department managed to clear the area quickly and take all safety precautions so that there was no danger to the population at any time.

Efficient recovery and defusal

Thanks to the active support of divers from the explosive ordnance disposal service, the bomb was ultimately recovered. The experts defused the detonator on site with great care. This precise work is not uncommon. Explosive ordnance from the two world wars is repeatedly discovered in Germany, especially on construction sites or former military training areas. This often involves significant amounts of ammunition, grenades and bombs that are still hidden in our soil from the past. According to the ADAC, around 61 tons of old ammunition were found in Thuringia in 2024, for example.

The security forces were finally able to give the all-clear at 8:08 p.m. and lift all measures. This rapid reaction is typical for the fire brigade and police, whose agenda is to act when bombs are found in order to inform and protect residents and commuters as quickly as possible.

Important measures to protect the population

The authorities are well prepared for such operations. Historical maps and data are analyzed to identify potential danger spots. If a bomb is confirmed, an evacuation zone will be set up immediately. These measures may affect several thousand people, including residents of nearby residential areas and institutions such as hospitals and kindergartens. Information about evacuations is disseminated through various channels, such as social media and the NINA warning app.

Technical progress also plays a major role in explosive ordnance disposal. Ground scanners and drones support the work of the specialists and make rescue and defusing safer. And while the emergency services are on site taking care of the rescue, it is important to know that citizens will be informed promptly about when they can return to their homes.

Today is June 11, 2025, and the Kattwyk Dam incident is further proof that security forces are well trained and always ready to deal with dangerous situations quickly and effectively.

For detailed information about the dangers posed by explosive ordnance and the procedures of the explosive ordnance disposal service, we recommend taking a look at the ADAC or the Presseportal.de.

Let's stay vigilant and thank the emergency services who ensure our safety every day!

For current police reports from Hamburg, please also visit news.de.