Bundesliga team find 'active WWII bomb' during stadium renovations as area evacuated

An active World War II bomb was located near Mainz's Mewa Arena (Image: Getty)

Around 3,500 people are set to be evacuated from the area around Germany’s Mewa Stadium after an active World War II bomb was located during renovation work at Mainz’s home ground. The 500-kilogram was found in the Europakreisel region and will be defused on Friday.

A 750-metre evacuation area has been determined and the local authorities have warned of major traffic delays. The device has been identified as an American aerial bomb dropped during the second World War.

It is unclear how long the defusal will take but the local authority has warned that the measure cannot take place until the area is fully evacuated. The bomb was discovered on Wednesday during renovation work on the Mewa Stadium. 

Mainz have subsequently moved their pre-match press conference from Friday to Thursday to avoid the disruption. The Bundesliga club are scheduled to face Koln at home on Sunday, with the crunch relegation scrap still expected to go ahead as planned. 

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Bundesliga team find 'active WWII bomb' during stadium renovations as area evacuated

Bundesliga team find 'active WWII bomb' during stadium renovations as area evacuated

Bundesliga team find 'active WWII bomb' during stadium renovations as area evacuated

Bundesliga team find 'active WWII bomb' during stadium renovations as area evacuated

Bundesliga team find 'active WWII bomb' during stadium renovations as area evacuated