German authorities are investigating a highly sophisticated bank robbery after criminals tunneled into an underground vault of a Sparkasse bank branch in Gelsenkirchen, escaping with valuables estimated to be worth tens of millions of euros.
The crime came to light early Monday morning when bank staff arrived to find extensive damage beneath the building. Investigators later confirmed that the perpetrators had gained access by renting an unused commercial property adjacent to the bank, using it as a base to carry out weeks of covert preparation.
From the neighboring building, the suspects reportedly excavated a tunnel leading directly to the bank’s underground vault. Once the tunnel reached its destination, the group drilled through a thick layer of reinforced concrete – estimated at roughly one meter – to break into the vault from below. Authorities believe the operation was carried out quietly over the extended Christmas holiday weekend, minimizing the chance of detection.
Police say the criminals also managed to neutralize the bank’s alarm system, suggesting a high level of technical expertise and careful planning. Inside the vault, the thieves accessed large quantities of cash along with valuables stored in customer safe deposit boxes. While officials have declined to disclose an exact figure, law enforcement sources confirmed that the losses amount to several tens of millions of euros.
The State Criminal Police Office of North Rhine-Westphalia has taken over the case and is coordinating forensic examinations across multiple locations, including the vault, the tunnel, and the rented property used during the heist. Specialists are analyzing tool marks, construction materials, and other physical evidence in hopes of identifying those responsible.
Authorities are also appealing to the public for assistance. Investigators are particularly interested in reports of unusual construction noise, late-night activity, or unfamiliar vehicles near the bank or the neighboring building in the weeks leading up to the robbery.
As of Wednesday, no arrests had been made. Officials believe the level of coordination involved indicates an organized group with prior experience in complex financial crimes. The investigation remains ongoing as police work to track the stolen assets and identify the suspects behind one of the most audacious bank robberies Germany has seen in recent years.
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