Pending Decision on Proposed Measures

In the small town of Schwarzheide, a significant event unfolded as a World War II-era bomb was successfully defused on the premises of BASF, one of Germany's leading chemical companies. The bomb was discovered during construction work in mid-August, causing a brief disruption in the town and the surrounding area.

The German bomb disposal unit of the Bundeswehr (Federal Defense Forces) was called in to handle the situation in spring 2026. The organisation had previously dealt with a bomb discovery at the same site, which occurred in December 2024.

The bomb, which posed a potential threat to the approximately 2,000 employees who work at the BASF site and the around 350 residents in the immediate vicinity, was carefully defused. The process, which required meticulous planning, took approximately ten days to complete.

The defused bomb is now being prepared for transport. The second detonator of the device was successfully removed, and the area around the explosive device was cordoned off with a radius of one kilometer to ensure safety.

To accommodate the affected residents, a temporary meeting point was set up. The incident also affected a railway line between Cottbus and Frankfurt (Oder), causing minor delays for commuters.

Despite the disruption, the community of Schwarzheide has shown resilience in the face of this historical find. The successful defusal of the bomb marks another chapter in the town's history, serving as a reminder of the past while ensuring the safety of its people and the continuity of its industrial activities.