Thieves Drill Into German Bank Vault, Steal €30 Million From 3,000 Safes

Overview

• Police say the vault room in Gelsenkirchen was breached with an industrial drill in an operation described as highly professional and compared to Ocean’s Eleven.
• More than 3,000 safe‑deposit boxes containing cash, gold and jewellery were opened.
• Investigators estimate losses at about €30 million based on an average insured €10,000 per box.
• The break‑in was discovered Monday after a fire alarm, the perpetrators remain at large, and authorities have not released identities or an exact timeline.
• Witnesses reported men carrying large bags near a parking stairwell and CCTV showed a black Audi with stolen plates leaving early Monday, while the bank stayed closed for security as anxious customers gathered.