In a scene straight out of a Hollywood thriller, audacious thieves executed a multi-million euro heist at a bank in northern Germany, leaving authorities stunned. The criminals spent months meticulously planning and digging a sophisticated tunnel to breach the vault of a Volksbank branch in the city of Oldenburg.
The Elaborate Tunnel and the Heist
The robbery, which took place over the weekend, was discovered only on Monday morning when bank employees arrived for work. Investigators found that the perpetrators had constructed a precise, approximately 30-meter-long tunnel to access the bank's underground strongroom. This wasn't a crude hole; it was a professionally dug passage, complete with reinforced walls and a lighting system, indicating a high level of planning and expertise.
The tunnel originated from a nearby rented garage, which the robbers had used as their operational base for months. From this covert location, they quietly excavated towards their target, managing to avoid detection. Using specialized drilling equipment, they finally breached the vault's floor, gaining direct access to the treasure inside.
The loot was staggering: the thieves made off with safe deposit box contents, cash, gold bars, and valuable jewelry. The total estimated value of the stolen items is a colossal €35 million (approximately over ₹315 crore), making it one of the largest bank robberies in recent German history.
A Massive Police Investigation Underway
Local and federal police have launched a major investigation, treating the case with the highest priority. A special commission, named "Volt-age," has been established, involving dozens of officers. Forensic teams are meticulously combing through the crime scene, collecting DNA samples, fingerprints, and other potential evidence from the tunnel and the vault.
"The perpetrators must have had expert knowledge," stated a police spokesperson, highlighting the complexity of the operation. The investigation is exploring all angles, including the possibility of insider information or assistance. Authorities are also reviewing security camera footage from the area and conducting widespread interviews to track down the culprits.
Implications and Fallout
The heist has sent shockwaves through the local community and the German banking sector. Customers of the bank who rented the safety deposit boxes are now facing devastating losses, as the contents were private property and not insured by the bank itself. The psychological impact of such a brazen and technically advanced robbery is significant.
This incident raises serious questions about the security protocols for bank vaults and safe deposit facilities. The fact that thieves could operate undetected for so long in a residential-commercial area points to a major security lapse. The Oldenburg robbery is being compared to other famous tunnel heists, like the 1976 robbery of the Société Générale bank in Nice, France, but with modern technical execution.
As the police pursuit intensifies, the international search for the stolen gold and jewels begins. The sheer scale of the theft suggests the perpetrators may attempt to move the loot across borders or melt down the gold to obscure its origin. The coming days will be crucial for the investigation as authorities race against time to apprehend the masterminds behind this daring €35 million tunnel robbery.
