Just days before the New Year, a bank in the western German city of Gelsenkirchen was hit by a major theft, with valuables worth around 30 million euros, equivalent to about 33 million US dollars, stolen. Police described it as one of the largest bank robberies in the country in recent years and confirmed the incident on Tuesday, according to DW.

Authorities believe the robbery was carried out by a highly organized and skilled group, citing the careful planning, technical expertise, and coordination involved. Investigators reported that the burglars gained entry through an underground parking garage, drilled through a wall to reach the vault area, and broke open thousands of safe-deposit boxes before escaping the same way. Over 3,000 lockers were damaged, containing cash, gold, and jewelry. Based on an average insured value of 10,000 euros per box, police estimate total losses at around 30 million euros.

The theft came to light on Monday when a fire alarm went off, prompting emergency responders to the bank. Witnesses later reported seeing men carrying heavy bags inside the parking garage stairwell during the night. CCTV footage reportedly shows a black Audi RS 6 leaving the garage early Monday morning, with masked occupants and a license plate stolen earlier from Hanover in northern Germany.

In the days following the robbery, many customers gathered outside the bank seeking information about their valuables. Media reports indicate that a large number of the victims had stored gold and jewelry, with some claiming losses beyond insured limits. Police have asked customers not to file individual complaints for now, instead coordinating with the bank, which is compiling damage reports and sharing them with investigators daily. The investigation is ongoing, and no arrests have been made so far.