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Gelsenkirchen: Cinematic Bank Robbery - €30 Million Stolen Over Christmas

Published December 30, 2025, 19:16
Gelsenkirchen: Cinematic Bank Robbery - €30 Million Stolen Over Christmas

A major robbery occurred at a Sparkasse bank in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, during the Christmas period. Unknown perpetrators managed to enter the vault and loot thousands of safe deposit boxes, with the estimated value of the stolen goods exceeding €30 million. The robbers used professional equipment, such as an industrial drill, to break through the wall and enter the vault, indicating careful planning. The vault contained approximately 3,300 deposit boxes, owned by around 2,700 customers. Each box was insured up to €10,300, meaning the total insurance claim could reach €33.99 million if all boxes were completely emptied. Authorities are investigating the extent of the damage and trying to determine the exact value of the stolen items. The robbery caused unrest and anger among the bank's customers, many of whom gathered outside the branch demanding answers. Police were forced to ask the crowd to disperse to avoid escalation. Some customers have already sought legal counsel to protect their interests. The management of Sparkasse has assured that it is working closely with the insurance company and that informing customers is its top priority. All deposit box renters will be personally notified and will receive instructions on submitting the necessary documents for compensation. The bank also reminds customers that they had the option to take out additional insurance for larger amounts.