May 19, 2026, 3:22 pm | Read time: 5 minutes
The Severins Bridge in Cologne is a crucial traffic hub of the metropolis on the Rhine and is an integral part of its cityscape. However, during its construction in 1956, a tragic accident occurred in which five workers lost their lives. That’s the official version, but since then, a persistent rumor suggests there might have been more fatalities, with some still buried under a bridge pier. TRAVELBOOK tells the story of the disaster and has spoken with the city about it.
It’s only speculation how many cars cross the Severins Bridge in Cologne each day. Spanning nearly 691 meters, it crosses the Rhine and is one of the city’s most important traffic hubs. It has four lanes, two tram tracks, and paths for pedestrians and cyclists. It’s one of eight road or railway bridges in the city. Today, few likely remember that in 1956, exactly 70 years ago, a tragic accident occurred during the construction of the Severins Bridge, around which the wildest rumors and speculations still swirl. At that time, five workers lost their lives. That’s the official version.
But what is the truth behind the claim, often picked up by the media, that on September 21, 1956, possibly more people lost their lives in the accident? And that these dead, never recovered, are still buried in a pier of the Severins Bridge? Let’s first look at the confirmed facts. On that day, a crew was working underwater on one of the bridge piers, protected by a so-called caisson (a type of diving bell). According to the Cologne “Express,” they were removing formwork and supports from its foundation. Suddenly, their “protective armor” unexpectedly lowered, allowing a torrent of water and gravel to rush in, burying the men. They had no chance.
Largest Firefighting Operation of the Decade
The Cologne fire department immediately responded with a large contingent. The recovery was the largest operation of the decade. According to Robert Baumanns, spokesperson for the city of Cologne, only two people could be retrieved from the underground grave that day. The first person was dead, and the second died shortly afterward in the hospital, according to TRAVELBOOK’s inquiry. A third body was washed ashore by the Rhine on September 27, 1956. On September 28 and 30, two more bodies were recovered. In numerous media reports found online about the Severins Bridge accident, the case is apparently mistakenly reported as if all five dead workers were recovered on September 21.
Also of interest: Brooklyn Bridge: How a German Family Built the Icon
But shortly after the tragedy, the first rumors emerged. It was suggested that more people might have died under the Severins Bridge. There were even speculations that these alleged dead might still be in their “grave” underwater. The “Kölner Express” also quotes people who claim to have heard from others that more workers died back then. Did the city of Cologne ultimately cover up the true extent of the disaster? Were the dead mostly guest workers who might have been working illegally? And why were the names of the dead allegedly never made public?
No Memorial Plaque to This Day
Baumanns represents a clear stance on these hypotheses on behalf of the city. “The rumors cannot be confirmed after reviewing the documents. There are no indications for the temporarily existing claim that there were more dead whose bodies were not recovered but were encased in concrete during the construction of the Severins Bridge. The city of Cologne does not engage in speculations and rumors or the question of why they persist.” The accident was already discussed in the Cologne main committee on September 24, 1956. In a council meeting on October 17 of the same year, the dead were also commemorated. “Since the cause of the accident was initially unclear, investigations by the police and the public prosecutor’s office were initiated.”
Also of interest: Puente Nuevo in Ronda: Spain’s Architectural Marvel
Baumanns further states: “Five dead were recovered, whose first and last names give no reason to assume they were guest workers.” Interestingly, there is still no indication of the tragedy that occurred here in 1956 at the Severins Bridge. According to Baumanns, the district council decided against erecting a memorial plaque. There is also no mention of the accident on the official website of the city of Cologne about the Severins Bridge. It is therefore likely that the speculations about the disaster will continue to persist. On September 21, 2026, it will be the 70th anniversary.
According to “T-Online,” records that might have shed more light on the matter are apparently no longer available today. According to the Cologne police, these were lost in another accident. On March 3, 2009, the Historical Archive of the city collapsed, resulting in the deaths of two people. In a complex operation, numerous archival materials were recovered. However, it is unknown whether any of these could have shed more light on the Severins Bridge disaster.