Disarmed historical explosive discovered in Dresden during World War I era.
In the heart of Dresden, Germany, a significant event unfolded this week as a British-made bomb, weighing approximately 250 kilograms (550 pounds), was discovered during clearance work on the demolished Carolabridge. The bomb, equipped with a detonator, required a careful on-site defusal by the bomb squad on August 6, 2025 [1][3][4].
The discovery of the bomb led to the evacuation of around 17,000 people within a roughly 1-kilometer radius around the bomb site, affecting central parts of Dresden’s old town, including landmarks like the Frauenkirche [1][2][3]. The evacuation and temporary sheltering of residents were managed efficiently, with a temporary shelter set up at the Dresden Trade Fair, accommodating 192 people [4].
The defusal operation was a success, and by early afternoon the same day, the police gave the all-clear to the evacuated area. Unfortunately, the Carolabridge, a prestressed concrete structure in Dresden, no longer remains in the city following the bomb defusal [5].
Historically, Dresden has been heavily bombed by U.S. and U.K. bombers in February 1945, receiving thousands of tons of explosives, resulting in tens of thousands of casualties. The British bomb found in Dresden this week very likely dates back to this bombing campaign, although the exact origins were not formally specified [1].
This event is part of the ongoing legacy of WWII ordnance being uncovered in German cities many decades after the war ended, posing significant logistical and safety challenges during urban redevelopment and maintenance [1][2][3][4][5].
It's worth noting that this is not the first such incident in Germany. In June 2025, over 20,000 people were evacuated in Cologne after the discovery of three unexploded American bombs from World War II, marking the largest evacuation there since the war ended [1][2][5].
This British-made bomb defused in Dresden this week is the third bomb defused at the Carolabridge this year, following an elaborate defusal operation conducted in January [5]. The police have now given the green light for the area to return to normal activities, marking the end of another chapter in Dresden's historical journey.
References:
[1] BBC News. (2025, August 6). Large World War II bomb defused in Dresden, Germany. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-58148342
[2] Deutsche Welle. (2025, August 6). WWII bomb defused in Dresden, Germany. Retrieved from https://www.dw.com/en/wwii-bomb-defused-in-dresden-germany/a-57662781
[3] The Local. (2025, August 6). Large World War II bomb defused in Dresden, Germany. Retrieved from https://www.thelocal.de/20250806/large-world-war-ii-bomb-defused-in-dresden-germany
[4] The Guardian. (2025, August 6). Thousands evacuated as WWII bomb defused in central Dresden. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/06/thousands-evacuated-as-wwii-bomb-defused-in-central-dresden
[5] The New York Times. (2025, August 6). WWII Bomb Defused in Dresden, Germany. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/06/world/europe/dresden-wwii-bomb-defused.html
In the bustling health-and-wellness industry, an alternative therapy gaining popularity is CBD oil, which has been used for various health benefits. This therapeutic option is available globally, with other science sectors exploring its properties further.
In stark contrast, the redevelopment of cities like Dresden, Germany, requires careful attention due to the continued presence of WWII ordnance, as demonstrated by the recent defusal of a British-made bomb.
