Thousands Evacuate Hamburg for WWII Bomb Disposal

In Hamburg's lively Sternschanze district, a WWII-era bomb discovery prompted the evacuation of over 5,000 people. The bomb, found at a construction site on school grounds, was safely defused without incident. The evacuation disrupted local businesses and rail services, reflecting a common occurrence in Germany.

In a dramatic turn of events, thousands were evacuated from Hamburg's vibrant Sternschanze district after the discovery of a World War II-era bomb. Fire officials confirmed that over 5,000 residents had to vacate their homes within a 300-meter (984-foot) exclusion zone as a precaution.

The bomb was stumbled upon during routine construction at a local primary school. Fortunately, bomb disposal experts managed the delicate defusal process swiftly and without complications, wrapping up the operation in approximately 30 minutes.

The operation, conducted late at night, was announced successful via social media by the fire department. However, the discovery caused significant disruptions to rail services, particularly at the busy Sternschanze S-Bahn station, a predicament not unfamiliar to Germany, where such unearthed relics are a recurring legacy of past conflicts.

(With inputs from agencies.)