Cologne evacuates thousands so WW2 bombs can be diffused

The German city cordons off a huge area, calling it the largest evacuation since the end of World War Two.

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The American bombs were discovered on Monday in a shipyard in the Deutz neighbourhood, the city said in a statement.

Unexploded ordnance can still pose a danger and the city has sealed off the zone within a 1,000m (3,280ft) radius, in what it described as "the largest operation since the end of WW2".

Homes, shops, hotels and schools have been told to evacuate, as well as a large hospital and major train station.

"If you refuse, we will escort you from your home - if necessary by force - along with the police," the authorities said.