Oct. 10 (UPI) -- A 550-pound unexploded World War II-era bomb was successfully defused on Wednesday in Potsdam, Germany, after over 3,000 residents were evacuated.
Nearby residences and nursing homes were emptied shortly before noon on Wednesday, and government offices were closed. Roads leading to the bomb site were closed on Wednesday morning, and railroad schedules were disrupted. The restricted area included the State Chancellery of Brandenburg, several ministries, a federal police office, the printing building of a local newspaper and two day care facilities.