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Germany Defuses WWII-Era Bomb

Thousands evacuated from city of Koblenz

By Polly Davis Doig, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 4, 2011 10:19 AM CST | Updated Dec 4, 2011 2:34 PM CST

(Newser) – Germany today successfully defused a massive unexploded World War II-era bomb it found in a depleted riverbed in Koblenz, reports the AP, after having evacuated some 45,000 residents. The 1.8-ton bomb could have wreaked serious damage if it exploded. Experts also defused a 275-pound American bomb found alongside it. Before work began, officials went door to door today, checking for residents who had failed to evacuate. Finding unexploded devices is fairly common in the city, which was shelled during the war: 28 other bombs have been uncovered in the past dozen years alone.

The defused WWII bomb swims in river Rhine near Koblenz, Germany Sunday Dec. 4, 2011. (AP Photo/dapd/Harald Tittel)

Gertrud Thurn, 87, background, waits to be evacuated in Koblenz, Germany, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011. Officials say tens of thousands have left as experts prepare to defuse a World War II-era bomb. (AP Photo/dapd/ Harald Tittel)

Firefighters and police look at a 1.8 ton WWII bomb in river Rhine near Koblenz, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011. (AP Photo/dapd/ Harald Tittel)

Police guard a blocked shopping street in downtown Koblenz, Germany, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011. (AP Photo/dapd/Harald Tittel)

Firefighters and police look at a 1.8 ton WWII bomb in river Rhine near Koblenz, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011. Officials say some 45,000 residents have been evacuated because of the bomb. (AP Photo/dapd/ Harald Tittel)

Sandbags frame a 1.8 ton WWII bomb in river Rhine near Koblenz, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011. (AP Photo/dapd/ Harald Tittel)

Sandbags frame a 1.8 ton WWII bomb in the river Rhine near Koblenz, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2011. (AP Photo/dapd/ Harald Tittel)

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Germany Defuses WWII-Era Bomb

Thousands evacuated from city of Koblenz

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