The 80-year-old bomb city has turned into a battlefield.

12.12.2025 14:00

During the controlled detonation of World War II-era munitions in the city of Hanau, Germany, the pressure wave was more intense than anticipated. Sixty people were directly affected by the incident, and some residential buildings sustained material damage.

During the controlled disposal of a World War II ordnance in the city of Hanau, Germany, the pressure wave turned out to be stronger than expected, affecting 60 people directly and causing material damage in some residences.

STRUCTURAL DAMAGE OCCURRED

The Hanau city administration stated that there were no injuries during the explosion, but due to the intense pressure, glass shards and structural damage occurred in some buildings. Detailed inspection work has been initiated in the area to determine the extent of the damage.

PROTECTIVE BARRIER FAILED TO PREVENT DAMAGE

Authorities emphasized that the pressure wave generated during the explosion was above expectations, and reported that the protective barrier, consisting of 15 containers set up in advance to protect surrounding structures, could not completely prevent the damage. Two static experts from the Technical Assistance Institution were dispatched to the area to examine the effects on the buildings. For security reasons, some streets were temporarily closed to traffic, and additional measures were taken against potential theft risks.

60 PEOPLE NEGATIVELY AFFECTED BY THE EXPLOSION

It was stated that approximately 60 people affected by the explosion would have fire brigade teams and psychosocial emergency support units ready when returning to their homes, and that citizens could enter their apartments in a controlled manner accompanied by the teams. Initial assessments suggested that the ordnance could be a phosphorus incendiary bomb, but detailed analyses later revealed that it was not of this type. The spokesperson for the Darmstadt District Governor's Office stated that the markings and shape indicated a different type of ordnance, explaining that the detonated object was a type referred to as a "dummy bomb."