Authorities confirmed that the threat has been eliminated and all lockdowns and closures in the area have been lifted. Among the evacuated locations was the local correctional facility, which required the relocation of inmates.
Explosive Device Found During Infrastructure Project
The unexploded ordnance was uncovered during excavation work related to the “Saalachwärme” energy project being carried out by the municipal utilities. The project involves installing groundwater heat pumps aimed at generating both electricity and heat. Workers encountered the bomb while laying new district heating pipes under a city street.
According to the city administration, the bomb was equipped with an intact detonator and contained approximately 40 kilograms of explosives. The discovery immediately triggered emergency protocols.
Prison and Surrounding Area Cleared for Safety
Due to the bomb’s size and explosive potential, extensive evacuations were required. Most notably, the Bad Reichenhall correctional facility was evacuated. Inmates were securely transferred to prisons in Traunstein and Bernau, located in the Rosenheim district.
In addition to the prison, around 350 residents and workers in neighboring office buildings and private residences were temporarily evacuated. For those unable to find alternative shelter, emergency accommodation was provided at the local youth center.
Train Services Suspended and Streets Closed
Given the proximity of the bomb site to the central train station, regional rail services were temporarily halted during the bomb disposal operation. Inner-city roads were closed off to ensure the safety of emergency personnel and residents.
Emergency Teams Ensure Successful Defusal
Approximately 150 personnel from the fire brigade, police, ambulance services, city administration, and the district office of Berchtesgadener Land were deployed to manage the situation. Bomb disposal experts safely defused the device without incident, allowing authorities to issue an all-clear late in the day.
With normalcy restored, the incident serves as a reminder of the lasting legacy of wartime ordnance in Germany, even as cities move forward with modern infrastructure projects.
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