Bank Vault in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, Breached During Christmas Holiday, Losses Estimated at Tens of Millions of Euros

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en01.web.id – Germany.

A major bank vault burglary was uncovered in the city of Gelsenkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, after criminals broke into a local bank during the Christmas holiday period. The crime, which is believed to have occurred several days earlier during the holiday closure, was discovered by police on December 29, 2025, prompting a large-scale investigation into what is now considered one of Germany’s biggest bank thefts in recent years.

The incident targeted a branch of Sparkasse bank located in central Gelsenkirchen. Authorities said the perpetrators took advantage of reduced activity during the Christmas break, when banks and nearby businesses were closed, allowing the operation to remain undetected for an extended period before being discovered.

According to preliminary police findings, the suspects gained access to the vault by drilling through thick reinforced concrete walls from the basement using heavy industrial equipment. Investigators believe the perpetrators worked systematically and with significant preparation, indicating a high level of planning.

Police confirmed that more than 3,000 safe deposit boxes were forced open inside the vault. The stolen property included cash, gold bars, jewelry, and other valuable personal items belonging to customers. While a full inventory is still underway, authorities estimate the total losses to be in the tens of millions of euros.

The burglary was discovered after a fire alarm was triggered inside the building, alerting emergency services and leading officers to inspect the premises. Upon entering the vault area, police found extensive structural damage and numerous emptied deposit boxes, confirming the scale of the crime.

As of December 31, 2025, no suspects have been arrested. Forensic teams continue to examine the crime scene, focusing on tool marks, construction debris, and surveillance footage from surrounding streets to identify the perpetrators and determine whether the crime involved an organized criminal network.

In a statement, Sparkasse management stressed that the bank’s operational funds and regular customer accounts were not affected, as only private safe deposit boxes were targeted. The bank said it is cooperating fully with authorities and providing assistance to affected customers.

The case has drawn widespread international attention due to its sophisticated execution and timing during a major holiday period. German authorities said the investigation remains ongoing and urged anyone with relevant information to come forward, while also confirming that security measures at banking facilities nationwide will be reviewed and strengthened.