At approximately 3:40 a.m., unknown perpetrators detonated an explosive device at an ATM located inside a building on Markt 1, which houses a bank branch on the ground floor and several residential units above. No injuries were reported, but the blast caused significant damage and prompted an extensive police response.
Blast Heard Across Town as Police Launch Manhunt
The explosion was audible throughout much of the town, and emergency services were quickly dispatched to the scene. The Criminal Police Office in Ansbach has taken over the investigation and began collecting forensic evidence from the site. The extent of the damage to both the ATM and the building remains under investigation, and it is still unclear whether the perpetrators successfully stole any money during the attack.
According to initial police reports, the suspects fled in a dark-colored vehicle immediately after the explosion. A large-scale search operation was launched, including the deployment of a police helicopter, but as of Monday afternoon, the suspects remained at large.
Authorities Seek Witnesses for Information
Law enforcement is now urgently appealing to the public for assistance. Anyone who saw suspicious vehicles or individuals near the crime scene around the time of the incident is asked to contact the Bavarian State Office of Criminal Investigation at 089 / 1212 – 0 or report to any police station.
Tougher Penalties for ATM Blasts Underway
The incident in Colmberg comes shortly after the German federal cabinet approved a draft law aimed at imposing stricter penalties for ATM bombings. On July 2, 2025, the Federal Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Justice jointly introduced the proposal, which recommends prison sentences of up to 15 years for such offenses. The measure is part of a broader effort to curb the rising number of ATM attacks across Germany and reduce the danger these explosions pose to nearby residents.
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