Germany: Authorities to dispose of unexploded WWII ordnance in Schwarzheide Dec. 20

Authorities plan to dispose of an unexploded World War II bomb near Bosch-Strasse in Schwarzheide on the morning of Dec. 20. Officials indicate that they are suspending or rerouting rail traffic, including trains traveling between Dresden and areas to the north of Schwarzheide, to avoid the affected area starting Dec. 19. Additionally, the B169 highway will be closed near the operation site. Officials will enforce a roughly 500-meter (547-yard) cordon with an extended exclusion zone reaching 1,000 meters (1,094 yards) to the southeast within which all buildings are to be evacuated and traffic restricted. Authorities require the area to be evacuated by 07:00 Dec. 20, after which they intend to complete their operation by 13:00.

Heightened security will likely affect areas near the bomb site for the duration of the operation and will likely linger into at least the afternoon hours. Rail transport disruptions are likely between Dresden and areas to the north of Schwarzheide, potentially also impacting travel between Dresden and Berlin.