A large part of central Dresden was cleared of people after an old bomb from World War II was discovered during construction work.
The device was found under the remains of the Carola Bridge, which had partially collapsed. Police and bomb disposal teams quickly moved in to secure the area and safely remove the threat.
More than 17,000 residents had to leave their homes while experts worked to make the 250-kilogram explosive safe.
Some of Dresden’s most well-known landmarks, including the Frauenkirche and the Zwinger palace, were located within the evacuation zone.
Authorities also shut down roads and transport links in the area during the operation.
A large number of police officers — around 330 — were brought in to help with crowd control, check homes, and assist those needing help evacuating.
The process took several hours, but the operation ended without injury or damage.
After the bomb was defused, people were allowed to return home.
Old bombs are still found in Germany often, as many cities were heavily targeted during World War II.
These discoveries usually lead to temporary evacuations while experts remove or destroy the devices.
Dresden, in particular, experienced severe air attacks in February 1945 that caused the deaths of thousands and left large parts of the historic city in ruins.
While events like this are not uncommon, they still cause large disruptions for residents and businesses.
In this case, emergency services worked quickly to reduce risks and make sure everyone remained safe.
As Germany continues to build and repair infrastructure, more unexploded bombs are likely to be uncovered. Each discovery is handled carefully to avoid accidents and protect nearby communities.