Rinteln clears 300-meter area around WWII anti-aircraft shell

On site, however, experts have now determined that it is a British anti-aircraft shell with a time fuse. According to the assessment of the Lower Saxony ordnance disposal service, it is a British anti-aircraft shell with a time fuse. This must be rendered safe immediately, the experts said. The British anti-aircraft shell is potentially dangerous and is to be detonated in a controlled manner today at 6 p.m.

Correction of the initial assessment

On site, the authority then corrected its assessment. Initially, the experts had assumed it was a less dangerous shell from World War I. The shell is potentially dangerous and must be detonated in a controlled manner.

For this, a safety zone of 300 meters around the find site must be completely evacuated. parts of the city are being cleared. Since 2 p.m., the affected area can only be accessed to a limited extent. From 4 p.m., the streets within the evacuation radius will be completely closed.

Contact point and shuttle service

The contact point in the assembly hall of the Ernestinum Gymnasium will be available from 3 p.m. for people who cannot stay with family or friends. A free shuttle service will be offered for transport to the contact point, the city and police added.

Several streets are affected by the evacuation: Stoevesandtstraße (from the intersection with Prof.-Kohlrausch-Straße/Friedrichstraße), Bahnhofsweg (from Stoevesandtstraße to house number 7), Kerschensteiner Weg (from the corner of Schraderstraße/Ostpreußenweg to Breite Straße), Groß-Wartenberger-Straße (house numbers 1A to 7 including Grundschule Nord), Dankerser Straße (from the corner of Hafenstraße to house number 26), Breite Straße (between Stoevesandtstraße and Schraderstraße), Wilhelmstraße, and Karlstraße.

Affected streets in the closure zone

As soon as the area is released again, residents are to be informed immediately. Until this release, the evacuation area must not be entered, according to the announcement. The city and police ask all those affected to follow the instructions and leave the area promptly.

Findings of ammunition and ordnance from the world wars are not uncommon in Lower Saxony. During excavation work in gardens, on fields, or at construction sites, shells, mines, or bombs from before 1945 regularly come to light. The Lower Saxony ordnance disposal service is responsible statewide for the defusing and recovery of such finds.

Background: Ordnance finds in Lower Saxony

For Rinteln, the operation on Monday means a logistical effort: schools such as Grundschule Nord are within the closure zone, residents must find private accommodation at short notice or go to the assembly hall of the Ernestinum Gymnasium. The authorities announced that, following the controlled detonation, they would provide information on the end of the closures.