Unexploded WWII bombs discovered in Berlin river — 20,000 evacuated

Authorities in Berlin ordered nearly 20,000 people to evacuate late Thursday after the discovery of two unexploded World War II bombs in the city’s Mitte district.

Police sealed off Fischerinsel after divers found one of the bombs buried under four metres of water in the Spree River. Officials described the situation as “mortal danger,” ordering 7,500 people to leave their homes immediately.

By Friday morning, police confirmed the full evacuation of a 500-metre exclusion zone. The operation forced the closure of embassies, government offices, Berlin city hall, parts of the subway, and boat traffic on the Spree.

Hundreds queued at emergency shelters set up in a town hall and nearby school. “We just want to sleep, it’s unbearable,” a father told Tagesspiegel while waiting with his child.

Police said experts will decide when and how the bombs can be safely defused.