Attempted thieves blow up German bank

Investigators in Malliss said the robbers attempted to blast open the doors of Valksbank early Tuesday and apparently planned to cart away an ATM with a low-loading truck, Britain's Daily Mail reported Wednesday.

However, the explosion, which police said appears to have been created using gas cylinders, sent splinters of hot metal into the truck's fuel tank, causing the vehicle to catch fire.

Police said the bank's safe and cash machine were found intact within the ruins of the building.

"They really botched this one. We are just so lucky at the timing and the fact that no one lived in this largely commercial area," a police spokesman said. "Initial examinations indicate a gas bomb of approximately 10 times the amount of power needed to open up the cash machine."

"As it was they brought the roof down upon it, thus preventing them from getting to it or stealing money from it," the spokesman said.

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