Dresden Evacuates 18,000 After WWII Bomb Discovery

Large parts of Dresden, located in eastern Germany along the Elbe River, were evacuated after authorities discovered a 250-kg unexploded British bomb dating back to World War II.

The device was found near the site of the Carola Bridge, which collapsed into the Elbe River in 2024.

Dresden’s fire brigade said the evacuation affecting roughly 18,000 residents, tourists and commuters is the largest carried out in the city for such an incident.

Authorities cordoned off much of Dresden’s historic center, including several of the city’s most famous landmarks.

These include the Frauenkirche, the Dresden Royal Palace, and the Semperoper.

Government buildings, including the Saxony State Parliament, police headquarters, ministries, nursing homes and daycare centers are also located within the restricted area.

Authorities set up emergency accommodation at the Dresden Exhibition Centre, opening early in the morning to receive evacuees.

Additional buses and tram services were arranged to transport residents and visitors to the temporary shelter.

Officials said it was not yet clear how long it would take bomb disposal experts to safely defuse the device.

Dresden was heavily bombed by Allied forces in February 1945 during World War II. British and American aircraft dropped nearly 4,000 tons of bombs on the city, triggering a massive firestorm that killed around 25,000 people and destroyed much of the historic center.

The attack remains one of the most debated Allied actions of the war, with some historians arguing it had strategic military value while others view it as highly controversial.

Several unexploded bombs have been found in the area in recent years, including four discovered during demolition work on the Carola Bridge last year.