Former ammunition depot: But not all residents have to leave Mitholz
The dialogue with the population of the Bernese village of Mitholz has been going on for some time. Who is allowed to stay and who is not? Now there is certainty: Contrary to what was previously announced, 87 residents will be allowed to stay in Mitholz.
51 residents must leave the village of Mitholz who live too close to the former World War II ammunition depot. This was announced by the Department of Defense (DDPS) on Wednesday. 87 people in the outer danger zone may stay if they want to. Originally, it was assumed that by 2030 at the latest, all people would have to leave their homes for safety reasons.
It can get loud and dirty
The construction site situations and infrastructures necessary for clearing should be combined in a compact area, as it is described in the Communication of the DDPS is called. The federal government is currently preparing the DDPS 2022 risk analysis, which defines the specifications for the evacuation, security and facility perimeters as well as the areas for installations and construction work.
The outermost danger zone in the "shell model" principle is the evacuation perimeter, in which living and habitation are still permitted. In the extended danger zone, the security perimeter, people are not allowed to stay permanently. In the secured facility perimeter, special access restrictions apply with entry for authorized persons.
The former ammunition depot still contains tons of old ammunition and explosives. However, the 87 people living in Mitholz have to be prepared for a lot of noise and that it could get very dirty near the construction site from the dust. Temporary evacuations are not ruled out, he said. The entire clearance is expected to take until 2040.
Presentation on the clearance of the former ammunition depot Mitholz (PDF)
Source: VBS
