Air bomb in Freiburg is to be defused on Saturday

Created: 2023-01-11Updated: 2023-01-11 18:56

An excavator spreads sand in a pit containing a World War II bomb.

© Philipp von Ditfurth/dpa

An aircraft bomb has appeared near the Freiburg University Hospital.

There is no acute danger - but the planned defusing on Saturday could have greater effects.

Freiburg – The bomb found near the Freiburg University Hospital is to be defused on Saturday.

Exactly where an evacuation is required will be announced on Thursday afternoon, the city said on Wednesday evening.

According to a spokesman, parts of the clinic are expected to be affected.

According to the assessment of the explosive ordnance clearance service, there is no acute danger.

The 500-kilo bomb from World War II was found on Wednesday during construction work on Lehener Strasse, right next to the university hospital.

In addition to the clinic buildings, there are also several large skyscrapers and a branch of the employment agency around the site.

There are also tracks next to the site.

A crisis team with representatives from the city, transport companies, police, explosive ordnance disposal service and university clinic met on Wednesday to discuss how to proceed.

According to the current status, the defusing is planned for Saturday morning.

The date must be coordinated with a number of those involved, such as the railway and auxiliary services.

Any people affected by an evacuation would still be informed.

An information telephone will also be set up for this purpose.

According to its own statements, the University Hospital Freiburg is one of the largest university hospitals in Germany and, according to the website, operates more than 2000 beds.

dpa