Germany: Authorities to defuse WWII-era bomb in Elmschenhagen area of Kiel March 24 /update 1

Explosives ordnance disposal technicians plan to defuse a 250-kg (550-lb) WWII-era bomb in the Elmschenhagen area of Kiel on March 24. Local officials have issued evacuation orders for most of the township east of Ellerbeker Weg and Wiener Allee along both sides of the B76 motorway (Preetzer Chaussee) to the nearby village of Schwentinental. All residences, workplaces, and businesses in the area must be evacuated no later than 09:00 March 24; about 1,600 households and establishments are affected by the orders. The B76 motorway will be closed at the Wellseedamm interchange for the duration of the operation. Authorities have not released the precise location of the device; it remains unclear how long the disposal work will take. This is reportedly the fifth unexploded WWII-era aerial bomb discovered in the same general area within the past two weeks.

Officials will almost certainly keep a heightened security presence in the affected area until the disposal operation is complete. Crews will likely close roads in the affected area during the operation, causing localized traffic and business disruptions.