Three unexploded bombs from World War II were discovered in Cologne today. Their disposal is scheduled for Wednesday, June 4, 2025. In preparation, parts of the city will likely be closed off and evacuated. These measures are expected to begin gradually from 8:00 a.m. onwards. According to current information, the defusal is planned for the afternoon or evening.
Affected areas include parts of downtown Cologne as well as the riverbank on the side of Koelnmesse. The SERIENCAMP CONFERENCE takes place in Cologne-Ehrenfeld and is not impacted by these measures. The event venues (Cinenova Cinema and Herbrand’s) remain fully accessible as usual. Arrival and departure via Cologne-Ehrenfeld station are also possible. Therefore, the SERIENCAMP CONFERENCE will proceed as planned.
However, due to the closures, traffic disruptions may occur on Wednesday. Several Rhine bridges will be closed, which may particularly affect attendees traveling from the direction of Cologne Messe/Deutz or arriving by train at the Cologne Messe/Deutz station. Please make sure to check for possible alternative routes and connections in advance. Please pay attention to announcements from Deutsche Bahn.
Some hotels within the evacuation zone are also affected. We strongly recommend checking the linked map below to see if your accommodation is within the restricted area and, if necessary, contacting your hotel directly.
Here is the overview of the evacuation zone:
https://www.stadt-koeln.de/mediaasset/content/pdf13/presse/2025/evakuierungsbereich_deutz.pdf
SERIENCAMP CONFERENCE will start as scheduled on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at 10:00 AM.