ATM blasted in the Wels industrial area - large -scale police!

ATM blasted in the Wels industrial area - large -scale police!

On April 25, 2025, in the old Wels industrial area in Upper Austria, an ATM was blown up. The incident led to a large -scale police operation, which blocked the area far. Investigators are still in use to learn more about the background of the crime. Access for company employees was only allowed through the rear entrances, while the question remained open whether the perpetrators captured cash

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A previous similar incident had already caused a sensation in the nearby Welser Maxcenter in February. The police started extensive measures to ensure security in the region during and after the incident.

ATM explosions in Austria in trend

The series of ATM explosions has experienced a questionable increase in Austria. The Federal Criminal Police Office counted a total of 13 cases in 2022. A further 13 explosions have already been registered by the end of February 2023, including two current ones in Wels. A particularly spectacular incident recently occurred in Vienna-Donaustadt, where the detonation transformed the entrance area of ​​an ATM into a rubble field and residents tore from sleep.

The groups of perpetrators behind these incidents usually seem to be professionally organized. Their methods range from explosions to cutting up to breaking out of ATMs. The average prey amount amounts to between 50,000 and 100,000 euros per attack, while the damage to property often exceeds the sum of the stolen money. Most of these acts happen at night and concentrate particularly in urban areas, especially Vienna.

Previous incidents and their effects

This worrying development is described as a phenomenon that occurs in waves. According to the Federal Criminal Police Office, fluctuating numbers have been recorded in recent years, which ranged from 21 offenses in 2018 to 19 offenses in 2022. Despite the intensive investigations, the clarification often remains a challenge, especially when it comes to professionally acting groups.

The dynamics of the situation in Upper Austria and beyond clearly show how alarming the trend reversal in ATM explosions has become. Security authorities therefore face the challenge of not only taking the current perpetrators, but also developing preventive measures in order to prevent such acts in the future.

For more information and current updates on this topic, please visit ORF Upper Austria and Small newspaper.