Belgrade Poincare Street bomb to be destroyed Oct. 4

A German aerial bomb from World War II was found during construction work on Poincare Street in Belgrade. On September 28, the Interior Ministry announced that the bomb will be destroyed on Sunday, October 4, 2026, starting at 6 a.m., at the spot where it was found.

It is a general-purpose bomb, model SC 250. It weighs about 250 kilograms in total, with an explosive charge of about 130 kilograms. The figures came from Ivica Dacic, Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister in the caretaker government.

Why can’t the bomb be moved?

Members of the ministry’s Emergency Situations Sector surveyed the site, identified the bomb and assessed its condition. It cannot be relocated because it is armed with an electric fuse. Dacic explained:

“Given the characteristics of the aerial bomb that was found and the fact that it is armed with an electric fuse, its destruction must be carried out at the place where it was found. The activities to destroy the aerial bomb are planned for Sunday, October 4, 2026, starting at 6 a.m.”

Who coordinates the destruction?

An Operational Headquarters for the destruction of the bomb has been formed. According to Dacic, its task is to monitor and coordinate the work of the responsible services in carrying out safety and civil protection measures. The headquarters includes representatives of several Interior Ministry units, the City of Belgrade, the Emergency Medical Services Institute, the Communal Police, the Red Cross of Serbia, the public utility company “Parking Servis” and other responsible bodies.

What awaits residents within 150 and 200 meters?

The zones are split into two tiers:

• within 150 meters of the destruction site, residents are evacuated from the danger zone
• up to 200 meters, residents of buildings in the wider risk zone are informed about safety measures, including a temporary restriction on movement and access

Dacic described the measures this way:

“In order to ensure the maximum level of safety for citizens and prevent possible accidents during the operation, measures will be taken that include the evacuation of citizens from the danger zone within a radius of 150 meters from the place where the aerial bomb is being destroyed, as well as informing residents who live in buildings in the wider risk zone, at a distance of up to 200 meters from the same location, about the planned activities and safety measures, including a temporary restriction of movement and access to the area for the duration of the activities.”

Notifications go out through building managers and City of Belgrade services. Vulnerable groups will be helped with evacuation where needed.

Where will evacuees be housed?

The location of temporary accommodation has not yet been announced. The minister said it and its capacity will be decided together with the City of Belgrade:

“We will provide space for the temporary accommodation of evacuated residents from the danger zone, and its location and capacity will be decided in cooperation with the responsible services of the City of Belgrade. The public will be informed in good time about all further information regarding the destruction of the aerial bomb and other activities,” Dacic added.

According to the statement, all activities are being carried out so that the bomb is destroyed safely and in a controlled manner, with the lives and property of citizens protected.