World War II Bomb Discovered at Frankfurt Airport: A5 Motorway to Be Temporarily Closed
An unexploded World War II bomb weighing around 75 kilograms was discovered during construction work south of Frankfurt Airport. For safety reasons, a 500-metre exclusion zone was established, and the A5 motorway will be temporarily closed to traffic late this evening during the bomb disposal operation.
The operation, coordinated by Frankfurt Fire Department and bomb disposal units, is scheduled to neutralise the bomb at around 11:00 p.m. The procedure is expected to take between one and one and a half hours. The Intercity Hotel and nearby construction sites were evacuated as a precaution.
Alternative Routes and Traffic Arrangements
Highway police announced that traffic at the Frankfurter Kreuz junction will be diverted via the A3 and Bundesstraße 43, while in Langen, vehicles will be rerouted via Bundesstraße 486 towards the A661. Additionally, the L3263 near Neu-Isenburg-Zeppelinheim will also be affected by closures. The roads are expected to be closed to traffic about half an hour before the bomb disposal operation begins.
Passenger Transport and Flight Operations
Airport operator Fraport confirmed that flight operations will not be affected due to the night flight ban. However, passengers may experience delays when arriving at or departing from the airport. Travellers are advised to check the status of their flights on their airline’s website before travelling.
Similar Incidents in the Past
World War II bombs have been found at Frankfurt Airport before. In June 2024, a phosphorus bomb discovered at Terminal 3 was successfully defused by specialist teams.
