Bomb Discovery in Cologne Forces Mega Evacuation: How RTL Adjusts Its Program!

Imagine going to work and suddenly your entire office is in an evacuation zone! That's exactly what happened to the broadcaster. Construction workers in Cologne-Deutz discovered not one, not two, but THREE unexploded bombs from World War II. Two American 20-hundredweight bombs and one 10-hundredweight bomb – now that's a find! The city of Cologne reacted immediately and scheduled a defusal for Wednesday. And unfortunately, the RTL headquarters is right in the middle of the restricted area.

What does this mean for your TV program?

If you tune in to "Punkt 6" or "Punkt 7" in the morning, you can breathe a sigh of relief: They will still be live from the usual Deutz studios. But beware, here's the catch: "Punkt 8" unfortunately has to be completely canceled! After that, the broadcaster switches to emergency mode. From "Punkt 12" to "RTL Aktuell" to "RTL Nachtjournal," everything will be broadcast live from the capital studio in Berlin. Yes, you heard right, Berlin has to step in! But don't worry, all other shows you know and love have fortunately been pre-recorded. So your series marathon is saved, even if the news situation is hot.

Cologne Comes to a Standstill: The Far-Reaching Consequences of the Evacuation

These bomb discoveries are no small matter. A total of 20,000 people have to leave their homes and workplaces. That's an entire small town being evacuated! And it's not just offices affected: A hospital and even two nursing homes are within the restricted area. That is, of course, the absolute priority.

It will also be difficult for all commuters. The Severins Bridge, Deutz Bridge, and Hohenzollern Bridge will be completely closed. Rail traffic is massively affected, and several KVB lines are ceasing operation. The city advises avoiding public transport and, if possible, just staying at home. If you absolutely must travel, you should definitely check the city of Cologne's website beforehand.

No Events, No Schools: Culture and Daily Life Affected

Even the vibrant Cologne cultural life has to pause. The gigantic Lanxess Arena, the Musical Dome, and the Philharmonic are all within the restricted area. This means planned events are canceled or postponed. The education sector also suffers: Nine schools remain closed and dozens of daycare centers do not open. Even the town hall has to be evacuated, and many municipal services are canceled.

The defusal of the three bombs is expected to last all Wednesday. But thanks to the backup studio in Berlin, your TV evening is secured. Now that's a story, isn't it? Who would have thought that such a historical find could completely disrupt modern television programming!

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.