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Transport delays as 250kg WWII bomb defused in east Berlin

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Transport delays as 250kg WWII bomb defused in east Berlin
Police standing outside of a closed off area in Hellersdorf on Monday morning. Photo: DPA

The find of a WWII-bomb in the Berlin neighbourhood of Hellersdorf has caused evacuations and bus delays ahead of its defusal on Monday afternoon.

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The WWII bomb found in Hellersdorf during construction work on the Alt-Hellersdorf road is to be defused on Monday afternoon between 12pm and 2pm, according to police. 

READ ALSO: Everything you need to know about WWII bomb disposals in Germany

A barricade circuit has been set up around the evacuation zone, with resulting delays on the tram line M6, as well as bus lines X54 and 197.

Berlin's transport operator tweeted about delays on tram line M6. 

"The barrier around the evacuation area is in place; our colleagues in the task forces are currently inspecting every single building and calling on everyone to leave for their own safety," the police told Twitter.

Berlin's fire department also published a map of the affected area.

The 250-kilogram air bomb was discovered on Thursday during construction work, according to police. 

After several hours of investigation, the Crime Office (LKA)'s experts found that transporting it would be too dangerous, and that the bomb needed to be disposed of directly at the construction site. 

In the morning, a loudspeaker truck drove through the area, announcing the closure. Around 13,000 people have to leave their homes.

Berlin police published a photo of the bomb. 

The evacuees included a man who left with his cat. "She is very relaxed," owner Marlon Stolterfoht told public broadcaster rbb.

World War II bombs are commonly found in Germany during construction work. Eastern Berlin, where Marzahn is located, was bombed particularly heavily during the war. 

Recently evacuations have also taken place near Alexanderplatz in the former east following the find of a 100-kilogram WWII bomb, and in the neighbouring eastern state of Brandenburg when two 250 kilogram bombs were found

 

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