A major bank robbery has shocked western Germany after criminals drilled through the wall of a bank vault and escaped with cash and valuables estimated at around €30 million ($35 million). The carefully planned theft took place in the city of Gelsenkirchen, according to local authorities.
Robbery Targeted Thousands of Safe Deposit Boxes
The break-in occurred at a savings bank building on December 29, when thieves accessed the vault area and forced open several thousand safe deposit boxes. Early assessments suggest the total losses run into the tens of millions of euros, making it one of the region’s largest bank thefts in recent years.
Police believe the criminals deliberately chose the Christmas holiday period, when activity around the bank was minimal, to carry out the operation unnoticed.
Entry Through Parking Garage and Vault Drilling
Investigators say the suspects likely entered the bank through an underground parking garage before drilling directly into the vault wall. A fire alarm was triggered at around 4 a.m., prompting emergency responders to search the building. During the inspection, officers discovered a large hole drilled through the vault structure in the basement.
Authorities noted that breaching a reinforced vault wall would have required specialized equipment and extensive preparation, pointing to a highly organized operation.
Investigation Ongoing
Police have launched a full investigation and are reviewing security footage while appealing for information that could help identify the suspects. No arrests have been announced so far, and officials expect the damage estimate to be refined as affected deposit box holders report their losses.
