Explosives found at scene of ATM robbery; Neighborhood evacuated
An ATM bombing at a Rabobank branch in Didam early on Thursday morning left the bank's facade severely damaged, dozens of local residents evacuated and locked out of their homes and about 10 stores closed. This is because unused explosives were found at the scene, Omroep Gelderland reports.
The bombing happened just after 3:00 a.m. at the Rabobank in Wilhelminastraat. About 20 residents were evacuated from around a dozen homes above and around the bank. They were given shelter in the town hall. About 10 surrounding stores also had to remain close on Thursday morning.
The municipality writes on Twitter that residents should be allowed back into their homes around noon. Whether this has happened is unclear. Accordinig to Omroep Gelderland, the closed stores will also be allowed to open then.
The police closed down the area in a radius of 100 meters, according to the broadcaster. This is because there were concerns about the explosives found at the scene. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal team was called in to investigate. Only after the EOD is done, can the police start their investigation.
The perpetrators managed to get away. As far as is known, no one was injured.
De bewoners die vanwege de plofkraak in Didam hun woning hebben moeten verlaten, kunnen waarschijnlijk rond het middaguur weer in hun woning
— Gemeente Montferland (@gem_montferland) January 26, 2017