Wartime Ammunition Detonated in Borgsdorf, Causing Rail Disruptions
Borgsdorf, March 12 – Wartime ammunition was successfully detonated in a wooded area between Borgsdorf (Hohen Neuendorf district) and Oranienburg in the Oberhavel district on Wednesday afternoon. The exclusion zone, which had a radius of 1000 meters, has since been lifted, as announced by the city of Hohen Neuendorf on its website. The operation experienced delays due to several instances of individuals entering the restricted area.
Exclusion Zone and Evacuations
A 1000-meter exclusion zone was established around the site of the ordnance discovery on Wednesday morning. Residents within this area were required to evacuate by 8:00 AM. The successful completion of the detonation allowed for the lifting of the cordon and the return of residents to their homes.
Impact on Public Transport
The detonation led to temporary disruptions in rail and bus services north of Berlin. The affected lines included the S1, RE5, RB12, RB20, RE85, bus line 816, and long-distance train services. Specifically, S1 trains did not stop at Borgsdorf S-Bahn station for the duration of the operation. This restriction, initially expected to be lifted around 4:00 PM, was eventually removed approximately 37 minutes later than anticipated.
Regional trains heading towards Berlin were terminated at Oranienburg during the closure, with replacement bus services put in place. Long-distance trains were rerouted via Berlin-Spandau. Regional services on lines RE5, RE6, RE85, and RB12 were suspended between Gesundbrunnen and Oranienburg.
Additional Rail Disruptions
The rail route between Berlin and Oranienburg remains closed for regional and long-distance traffic until further notice. This ongoing closure is due to repair work following an embankment fire on Tuesday between Karow-West and Schönfließ, as reported by a spokesperson for Deutsche Bahn.
Further Developments in Brandenburg
In related news from Brandenburg, the AfD and BSW parties are advocating for tax relief, with the state’s parliamentary opposition calling for a reduction in petrol prices. Meanwhile, the “Grüne Woche” event is reported to cost Brandenburg two million euros annually despite its success. The state bank of Brandenburg’s annual balance sheet shows Finance Minister Crumbach hoping for a slight economic upturn.
The successful detonation of the wartime ammunition in Borgsdorf highlights the ongoing challenges posed by unexploded ordnance in Germany, often a legacy of past conflicts. The incident also underscores the importance of public cooperation during such operations to ensure safety and minimize delays.
