A multimillion-euro robbery at a bank in Germany has been described as one of the most significant in recent years, both for the scale of the loss and for the way it remained undetected for several days. 

The incident took place in the city of Gelsenkirchen, in the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia, during the weekend following Christmas.

Authorities report that an organized group broke into a Sparkasse savings bank branch located on Nienhofstrasse in the Buer district. Investigators believe the suspects accessed the building through an adjacent multi-story parking garage. 

They allegedly manipulated an emergency exit door that normally could not be opened from the outside but was deliberately altered so that it no longer closed properly.

Once inside, the perpetrators bypassed multiple security systems and reached a records room next to the vault in the basement of the bank. 

There, they installed industrial drilling equipment and created a hole approximately 40 centimeters wide in the wall leading directly into the vault that contained the safe deposit boxes.

Authorities estimate that the robbery occurred between Saturday, December 27, and Monday, December 29. Computer records indicate that the first safe deposit box was forced open at 10:45 a.m. on December 27 and the last at 2:44 p.m. 

It remains unclear whether most of the 3,250 boxes were opened within that timeframe or whether the monitoring system stopped recording further activity.T

he vault was closed at the time, and in the absence of clear signs of fire, authorities classified the alert as a false alarm. A second alarm days later ultimately revealed the full extent of the crime.

Entry into the vault and those affected

When emergency teams finally entered the vault, they encountered widespread disorder. More than 500,000 items were scattered across the floor, many reportedly damaged by water and chemicals. Investigators began a detailed process of cataloging belongings to identify owners and search for forensic evidence.

German media outlets have estimated that the stolen amount could reach up to 100 million euros, although officials have not confirmed a precise figure. T

he perpetrators allegedly took cash, gold, and jewelry. Surveillance footage released by police shows several individuals with covered faces and two vehicles — a black Audi RS 6 and a white Mercedes Citan — both displaying false license plates.

Police have made no arrests so far. Authorities in Gelsenkirchen have appealed for witnesses and continue analyzing surveillance recordings and testimonies from individuals who reported seeing men carrying large bags in the parking structure during the night of December 28.

Affected customers expressed concern and frustration. Some stated they lost lifelong savings and family heirlooms stored in the safe deposit boxes. 

The bank indicated that each box is typically insured up to 10,300 euros, though several clients claim their stored assets exceeded that amount significantly.

Some victims have initiated legal proceedings seeking higher compensation. The financial institution stated that it was itself a victim of the crime and maintained that its premises were equipped with state-of-the-art security technology. 

Regional authorities confirmed that investigators are reviewing all technical and procedural aspects related to the case.The head of state police described the incident as one of the most serious criminal cases in the recent history of the region. Officials emphasized that the impact extends beyond financial losses, as the event has intensified public discussion about institutional security and the safeguarding of private property in Germany.