Germany: World War II Bomb Discovered at Construction Site in Dresden

A World War II bomb was discovered on Wednesday at a demolition site for a bridge in Dresden, a city in eastern Germany, according to the German newspaper Bild.

The bomb, which weighs 250 kg and is of British origin, has yet to detonate. Due to its deteriorated state, authorities plan to defuse it on-site in the heart of the city, as reported by a police source cited by Bild.

During the bomb disposal operation, extensive areas of downtown Dresden are expected to be evacuated within a 1 km safety perimeter, since the detonator can no longer be unscrewed, the same source noted.

The bomb was uncovered in the Elbe River while excavation work was being conducted on sections of the Carola Bridge, which partially collapsed last September. This bridge previously connected Dresden’s historic district with other parts of the city.