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Kaiserslautern: Evacuation Ends After WWII Bomb Defusal
Residents of Kaiserslautern, Germany, were able to return to their homes on January 15, 2026, after the successful defusal of a 500-kilogram American bomb from World War II. the evacuation, affecting nearly 1,000 people, was completed more quickly than anticipated.
the defusal operation was originally scheduled to begin three hours earlier, but was delayed due to the proximity of a gas line. Authorities first had to reroute and shut down the gas line before the bomb could be safely addressed. The gas line has since been restored to service, according to city officials.
Evacuation Zone and Support for Residents
An area within a 750-meter radius of the bomb’s location was evacuated, including parts of Betzenberg and the Uni-Wohngebiet (University Housing Area). Approximately 1,000 residents were accommodated in the Fanhalle Nord at the Fritz-Walter-Stadion. Food and refreshments were provided for those displaced.