Firebomb from the Second World War ignites on the banks of the Rhine in Neuss

An incendiary bomb from the Second World War was exposed in Neuss due to the low water in the Rhine and therefore partly caught fire. White smoke emerged from the heavily corroded metal body on Sunday afternoon, the fire department said. The reason: There were around 300 grams of white phosphorus in the front area of ​​the British firebomb. This ignites when it comes into contact with air, i.e. oxygen.

The original main fire charge, which consisted of a gasoline-rubber mixture, had already been flushed out due to its long storage in water, it said. The emergency services decided to burn the ammunition in a controlled manner on the banks of the Rhine near the Fleher Bridge. She was then transported away.

The fire department warned: “Anyone who finds a suspicious object on the banks of the Rhine or elsewhere should under no circumstances touch it, move it or examine it themselves.” Instead: keep your distance, keep other people away from the site and immediately call the police or fire department on 110 or 112.