Thousands of Safe Deposit Boxes Looted, 50 Billion Won Stolen... One of the Worst Bank Robberies in German History

Breaking Through the Wall with a Specialized Drill
95% of the Bank's Safe Deposit Boxes Damaged

A major theft occurred in the vault of a savings bank in western Germany, where thousands of personal safe deposit boxes were broken into.

A bank in Gelsenkirchen, western Germany, where a robbery occurred. Photo by AFP Yonhap News Agency

According to dpa news agency and others on December 30 (local time), robbers broke into the vault of a savings bank in the small western city of Gelsenkirchen, smashed more than 3,200 personal safe deposit boxes, and escaped with approximately 30 million euros (about 50.1 billion won) in cash and valuables.

According to police, a specialized drill, not ordinary tools, was used in the break-in. A police spokesperson stated, "This drill is equipment that cannot be purchased at a regular hardware store." The robbers are believed to have started from the bank's records room, drilled through the wall, and then entered the actual vault.

The break-in was discovered the following morning when a fire alarm went off. However, it remains unclear exactly when the crime took place or how long the robbers stayed inside the building.

The bank explained that 95% of the personal safe deposit boxes entrusted by customers were damaged, and a dedicated inquiry desk is currently being operated for affected customers.

dpa reported, "This incident has affected more than 2,500 people and could be one of the worst bank robberies in modern German history."

After news of the incident broke, dozens of customers visited the bank, and police controlled access to the building to prevent confusion. One police officer explained, "The bank plans to proactively contact customers in the coming days."

According to the investigation, the suspects are believed to have entered the building through the parking lot. Police are investigating based on witness statements that several men carrying large bags were seen in a nearby parking lot between the night of the 28th and the early morning of the 29th.

CCTV footage captured a black car with masked occupants leaving the parking lot in the early morning of the 29th. The license plate of this vehicle was reportedly stolen in Hanover, Germany.