Below you will find an overview of the frequently asked questions and their answers regarding the suspected unexploded ordnance on Springer Landstraße. This list is continuously updated.

What happened?

Where is the unexploded bomb located?

The unexploded bomb is located in the parking lot of the BHW Bausparkasse, parallel to Springer Landstraße, at a depth of approximately ten to eleven meters.

How was the bomb discovered?

A large solar park is planned at this location. For the construction work, the private company had to certify that the area was “free of unexploded ordnance.” To do this, historical aerial photographs were evaluated by the Lower Saxony State Office for Geoinformation and Land Surveying (LGLN). A suspected bomb site was identified and further investigated.

When was the unexploded bomb confirmed?

The suspected site—where the bomb was believed to be—was extensively prepared by a specialist company in recent weeks. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service of Lower Saxony (KBD) then examined the site further and confirmed on Wednesday, April 15, that an unexploded World War II aerial bomb is located there.

What kind of bomb is it?

It is an unexploded World War II aerial bomb, presumably a 20‑hundredweight bomb.

Is there an acute danger?

According to current expert assessments: No, there is no acute danger at this time. It is not necessary to evacuate any areas immediately. Evacuation will take place only on the day of the bomb disposal, April 26.

What will happen to the bomb now?

The bomb will be defused by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service of Lower Saxony (KBD) on Sunday, April 26. Parts of the Hameln population must be evacuated for the disposal.

The Evacuation

When will the evacuation take place?

On Sunday, April 26, parts of the Hameln population will be evacuated. Residents must leave their homes by no later than 7:00 a.m.

May I enter the evacuation zone on Sunday to pick someone up?

You must leave the area again by 7:00 a.m. If you plan to pick up a relative from the affected area, allow enough time to leave the zone before 7:00 a.m. After 7:00 a.m., the area may not be entered. Note that starting at 6:00 a.m., the B1 will be completely closed within the city. The B217 will also be closed from 6:00 a.m.

Who must be evacuated?

Residents within a 1,500‑meter radius of the bomb site must leave their homes by 7:00 a.m. on April 26.

Why is the radius now 1,500 meters instead of 1,000 meters?

During the investigation, it was determined that the bomb is significantly larger than initially assumed. For safety reasons, the radius was expanded by 500 meters.

Which streets are in the evacuation area?

• Adalbert-Stifter-Weg (alle)
• Ahornweg (alle)
• Alfred-Papke-Straße (alle) 
• Alte Heerstraße (alle)
• Am Dorfplatz (alle)
• Am Güterbahnhof (alle)
• Am Pappelhain (alle)
• Am Remtebach (alle)
• Amselweg (alle) 
• An der Krummen Beeke (alle)
• Apenberg 4 (gerade)
• Asternstraße (alle)
• Auf den Steinen (alle)
• Azaleenweg (alle)
• Bananenweg (alle)
• Berliner Straße (alle)
• Breslauer Straße 2-34A (gerade), 1-45 (ungerade)
• Buchenweg (alle)
• Bunsenstraße (alle)
• Cumberlandstraße 2- 32 (gerade), 1-13 (ungerade)
• Dornenreeke (alle)
• Drosselweg (alle)
• Düth 2-20 (gerade), 1-21 (ungerade)
• Eike-Kerstein-Straße (alle)
• Einsiedlerbach 99 (ungerade)
• Eintrachtweg (alle)
• Elsterweg (alle)
• Emdener Straße (alle)
• Eschenweg (alle)
• Eugen-Reintjes-Straße (alle)
• Fasanenweg (alle)
• Finkenweg (alle)
• Fluthamelstraße 1-15 (ungerade)
• Friedrich-List-Straße (alle)
• Galgenberg (alle)
• Ginsterstraße (alle)
• Grasweg (alle)
• Grenzweg (alle)
• Großes Osterfeld (alle)
• Güldener Winkel (alle)
• Gustav-Heinemann-Weg (alle)
• Habichtshöhe (alle)
• Hainbuchenweg (alle)
• Hamelner Straße (alle)
• Hammelstein 8-18 (gerade), 3-15 (ungerade)
• Hannoversche Straße (alle)
• Haselbusch (alle)
• Hastenbecker Landstraße 1 (ungerade) 2 (gerade)
• Hastenbecker Weg 26-90 (gerade) 31-57(ungerade)
• Heinrich-Lübke-Weg (alle)
• Heinrich-Schoormann-Weg 1
• Hessenager (alle)
• Hildesheimer Straße 2-64 (gerade), 1-43 (ungerade)
• Hinter den Höfen (alle)
• Holunderstraße (alle)
• Hottenbergsfeld (alle)
• Hurke (alle)
• Husumer Weg (alle)
• Im Bögen (alle)
• Im Duvenanger (alle)
• Insterburger Straße (alle)
• Kieler Straße (alle)
• Klußfeld (alle)
• Kolonie (alle)
• Königsberger Straße (alle)
• Kranichfeld (alle)
• Kriegerdenkmal (alle)
• Kuckuck (alle)  
• Langes Feld (alle)
• Lerchenanger (alle)
• Lickbenden (alle)
• Liebigstraße (alle)
• Lilienstraße (alle)
• Lindenweg (alle)
• Luhbahnstraße (alle)
• Lübecker Straße (alle)
• Lüdecken Garten (alle)
• Marienthaler Straße (alle)
• Meisenbrink (alle)
• Meyers Grund (alle)
• Molanusweg 1 (ungerade)
• Morgensternstraße 27-37 (ungerade)
• Moritzweg (alle)
• Mühlenhof (alle)
• Nachtigallenweg (alle)
• Niederes Feld (alle)
• Osterplatz (alle)
• Poppendiekweg 2-4 (gerade), 1-7 (ungerade)
• Rastenburger Straße 2A (gerade)
• Rohden (alle)
• Rohrser Breite (alle)
• Rohrser Kapelle (alle)
• Rohrser Warte (alle)
• Röntgenstraße (alle)
• Rotdornweg (alle)
• Rudolf-Schmidt-Straße (alle)
• Saarbrückener Straße (alle)
• Scheckenblick 76-80 (gerade)
• Schlehenstraße (alle)
• Schneidemühler Straße 12-18 (gerade), 25-33 (ungerade)
• Seelingstädter Straße 49-63 (ungerade) 
• Sintelsberg 3 (ungerade)
• Spatzenweg (alle)
• Springer Landstraße 4 (gerade), 21 (ungerade)
• St. Georg-Straße (alle)
• Stüvestraße 1-35 (ungerade)
• Südkampweg (alle)
• Tannenweg (alle)
• Teutberg (alle)
• Theodor-Heuss-Straße (alle)
• Tunnelstraße 1A, 1B, 3 (ungerade)
• Ulmenweg (alle)
• Veilchenweg (alle)
• Vogelbeerweg 2-48D (gerade) 1-35 (ungerade)
• Vogelsang (alle)
• Vogts Busch (alle)
• Vor dem Morgenstern (alle)
• Vor den Gründen (alle)
• Wacholderweg (alle)
• Walthausenstraße (alle)
• Wasserturm (alle)
• Werner-Peix-Straße (alle)
• Westrumbstraße (alle)
• Zeisigbusch (alle)
• Zum Kalkofen (alle)
• Zur Lust (alle)

How many people must be evacuated?

With the newly established 1,500‑meter radius, approximately 8,500 residents are affected, according to initial estimates. With the original 1,000‑meter radius, about 3,500 people would have been affected.

How long will the evacuation last?

Residents must leave their homes by 7:00 a.m. on the evacuation day. When they may return is unclear and depends on the duration and progress of the bomb disposal. Returning home may take until late evening.

How can I prepare for the evacuation?

Plan where you will stay. You may visit family, friends, or acquaintances outside the evacuation zone or take a day trip. Remember to bring any medication you regularly need.

May I leave my home already on Saturday, April 25?

Yes. You may leave earlier, but you must be out of the area by 7:00 a.m. on Sunday. You may return only after the official end of the evacuation.

Will there be road closures?

Yes. Starting at 6:00 a.m., the B1 will be fully closed between Afferde and the Hastenbecker Weg/Tunnelstraße intersection. Traffic will be diverted. The B217 will also be closed from 6:00 a.m. in both directions, with detours clearly marked.

Will public transport operate?

There will be restrictions. A special timetable will apply. From 9:00 a.m., trains from Hannover will terminate in Springe; trains from Hildesheim will terminate in Elze. Trains from Paderborn and Löhne will terminate at Hameln station. Replacement bus services will operate.

What should employees and business owners consider?

If you work in the restricted area, contact your employer to clarify procedures. Businesses in the danger zone must close during the evacuation.

What must I take with me when leaving my home?

You should bring:

• ID card or passport

• Mobile phone, charger, power bank

• Driver’s license

• Bank card

• Health insurance card

• Necessary medication

• Money

• Keys

• Baby food, diapers

Turn off lights and deactivate timers or motion sensors. Park your vehicle in a garage, carport, or outside the restricted zone.

Tilt your windows open to reduce potential damage in case of a controlled detonation.

Can I refuse to leave and sign a waiver?

No. Everyone must leave the evacuation area. Self‑written waivers are not accepted. If you refuse, authorities—if necessary with police assistance—will escort you out. You may face a costly fine.

What happens if the bomb cannot be defused?

If defusing is not possible or too dangerous, the bomb will be detonated in a controlled explosion. Additional protective measures will be taken. Only after all safety measures are in place and the area is cleared will the detonation occur. Specialists will inspect the area afterward.

Should I really leave my windows tilted open?

Yes, it is recommended. Emergency services will check the area early Sunday morning to ensure no one remains. Police will secure the entire zone and increase patrols overnight.

May I close my shutters?

Yes, but do not close them completely. Leave them slightly open so it is clear that no one is inside.

What if my property is damaged during a detonation?

Liability cannot be determined in advance. Compensation depends on the specific circumstances and the cause of the damage. Not all damage automatically results in compensation.

I received a flyer with instructions for April 26. Is it official?

Yes. The City of Hameln distributed an official flyer to all affected households. It is possible that some flyers were delivered to unaffected homes by mistake. Check your street and house number against the official list.

The Emergency Shelter

Will there be an emergency shelter?

Yes. The City of Hameln has set up a free emergency shelter in the Rattenfängerhalle.

How do I get there? Is there a shuttle bus?

The shelter is accessible by car (free parking in the underground garage), bicycle, or on foot. A free shuttle service will operate between 5:00 and 7:00 a.m. from regular bus stops within the evacuation zone.

Where and when do the shuttle buses run?

The buses display: E Evakuierungsbus Rattenfängerhalle. They run between 5:00 and 7:00 a.m. Return trips will begin once the evacuation zone is cleared.

Address of the emergency shelter

Rattenfängerhalle Mühlenstraße 17 31785 Hameln

What if I am ill, need care, or cannot move independently?

You must still leave your home. The city provides transportation for people with mobility issues. Contact the citizen hotline early: 0800/4263565.

Will food be provided?

Yes. Warm meals, drinks, and snacks will be provided free of charge. There will also be a children’s play area and a quiet area.

May I bring my pet?

Yes. Pets are allowed, but you must bring food, water, leash, carrier, etc. Pets must remain in transport boxes. There is no separate pet area.

Can I sleep in the shelter if the evacuation lasts longer?

Yes. Sleeping spaces and hygiene items will be provided if needed.

Where to get more information

Where can I find updates?

• www.hameln.de

• Social media channels (Facebook & Instagram: hameln.de)

• Local media (Deister‑ und Weserzeitung, Radio aktiv)

• Live blog at www.dewezet.de

• Warning apps NINA and Katwarn

Where can I call for help or questions?

Citizen hotline: 0800/4263565

• Mon–Thu: 9:00–15:00

• Fri: 9:00–13:00

• Sat, April 25: 9:00–15:00

• Sun, April 26: from 4:30 a.m.

Where will I learn that I may return home?

Same channels as above: www.hameln.de, social media, live ticker, local media.

Where will I learn if the evacuation continues into the night?

Also via the same channels.