Suspect Admits to ATM Explosion in Berlin After Fatal Escape Attempt

A 38-year-old man has confessed to his involvement in the explosion of an ATM in Berlin, following an ill-fated escape attempt that resulted in the death of his alleged accomplice. The proceedings at the Berlin Regional Court revealed new details about the incident, which occurred in April 2024.

According to case files, the two suspects traveled from the Netherlands to Berlin with the intent to target a cash machine located at the Charité Campus Virchow-Klinikum in the Wedding district. Investigators report that a highly explosive gas mixture was introduced into the ATM, causing a significant detonation. The suspects managed to secure approximately 255,000 euros from the device, while the explosion also resulted in property damage estimated at 30,000 euros to both the ATM and the surrounding structure.

Following the explosion, the men attempted to flee using a motor scooter before switching to a small inflatable boat equipped with an outboard motor. The escape turned tragic when their boat capsized near the Alte Schleuse in Charlottenburg. Only one suspect survived the incident, while the other drowned. The court heard that the surviving individual managed to reach the shore and observed a sports bag, believed to contain the stolen cash, drifting away in the water.

During his testimony, the accused explained that he had been approached by his acquaintance from the so-called ATM explosion scene, who allegedly planned the operation and promised a share of 25,000 euros. The defendant cited financial hardship as his motivation for participating in the crime. He stated that while his partner carried out the detonation, he waited by the inflatable boat to facilitate their escape.

The man is currently facing charges of causing an explosion and theft. He was apprehended in Spain in May 2025 following a European arrest warrant and subsequently extradited to Germany. Previous records indicate that he had been convicted by the Cologne Regional Court in 2018 for similar offenses, leading to an eight-year prison sentence for multiple ATM explosions.

Authorities continue to investigate the broader context of ATM thefts in the region, as these incidents have become increasingly sophisticated and often involve cross-border criminal networks. The trial is set to continue later this month, with further testimonies and evidence expected to clarify the sequence of events and individual responsibilities in the case.

This incident highlights the dangers associated with organized ATM theft and the risks perpetrators face during elaborate escape attempts. Law enforcement agencies in Berlin and across Europe have intensified efforts to combat such crimes, which frequently involve advanced techniques and pose significant safety hazards to both the public and the offenders themselves.