The cordoning-off measures are now being gradually lifted. Affected residents can return to their homes. Traffic restrictions in the vicinity of the evacuation zone are also being lifted one by one.

As reported, the remains of a 250-kilogram American World War II bomb were found on Tuesday afternoon during construction work in the park on Fritz-Bockius-Straße. After inspecting the find, the Rhineland-Palatinate Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service determined that the unexploded bomb had to be defused.

The defusing operation required an evacuation within a radius of approximately 250 meters around the discovery site. About 1,900 people were affected, as well as the Taubertsbergbad. The evacuation proceeded as planned and without major problems. The evacuation zone was completely cleared and inspected, allowing the
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service to begin defusing the bomb as planned.

Special thanks go to the affected residents: The public cooperated in a very level-headed and exemplary manner, thereby contributing significantly to the smooth execution of the operation.

The operations were coordinated from the command center of the Mainz Fire Department. A total of approximately 220 personnel from the fire department, aid organizations, police, public order authorities, and the explosive ordnance disposal unit were deployed. The City of Mainz and the Mainz Fire Department would like to thank all participating emergency responders, authorities, agencies, and organizations for their excellent and focused cooperation.

For press inquiries, please contact the Mainz Fire Department’s press office at 06131 12 4650.

Please direct inquiries to:

For media representatives only!

State Capital Mainz
Fire Department
Phone: 06131 - 12 4650
Email: puma.feuerwehrstadt.mainzde
http://www.berufsfeuerwehr-mainz.de (opens in a new tab)

Additional material: http://presseportal.de/blaulicht/pm/171463/6296167 (opens in a new tab)
OTS: Mainz Fire Department