Wed Dec 31 07:30:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text:

Headline: Christmas Heist: Thieves Drill Into German Bank Vault, Steal Millions

Gelsenkirchen, Germany (CNN) — Authorities are investigating a brazen bank robbery that occurred over the Christmas holiday period at a Sparkasse bank branch in Gelsenkirchen, western Germany. Thieves reportedly drilled through a thick concrete wall to gain access to the bank’s vault and subsequently broke into thousands of safe deposit boxes.

Police estimate the stolen loot to be in the double-digit millions of euros, comprised of cash and valuables belonging to bank customers. The alarm was only raised on Monday, December 29th, after a fire alarm was triggered.

The brazen nature of the crime, coupled with the timing during the Christmas holiday when most businesses were closed, has left customers outraged. Dozens of individuals gathered outside the bank on Tuesday, demanding information and access to their accounts. “I couldn’t sleep last night. We’re getting no information,” one depositor told Welt broadcaster, expressing concern over his life savings stored in the vault.

Witnesses reported seeing several men carrying large bags in a parking garage adjacent to the bank on Saturday night. A black Audi RS 6, bearing stolen license plates from Hanover, was also observed leaving the garage early Monday morning with masked men inside.

The Gelsenkirchen police are actively investigating the robbery and pursuing leads based on witness statements and vehicle information. Sparkasse bank officials have yet to release a statement about the incident.

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