The increase in ATM explosions in Austria prompts security authorities to take action.
Austria has witnessed an unprecedented rise in ATM bombing attempts since the beginning of 2025, with 14 successful and failed bombing attempts recorded, surpassing the total cases recorded in 2024. If this trend continues, the record numbers from 2018 and 2019, which were 21 and 20 cases respectively, may be exceeded.
Several areas in Austria were affected. Five bombing operations occurred in the capital, Vienna, targeting areas such as Donaustadt, Favoriten, Simmering (twice), and Liesing. Stations in Kornoburg and Gänserndorf in Lower Austria were also targeted, along with two successful operations in a shopping center in Vils in Upper Austria, and another attempt in Pöching. The attacks also included Salzburg, Burgenland, Tyrol, and the city of Graz.
Extensive investigations and security response Security sources reported that there are at least five criminal groups active in these operations using various methods. As a result, banks have taken precautionary measures by temporarily shutting down some ATMs to prevent them from being targeted. To combat these crimes, the Federal Criminal Police Office launched a special unit named "SOKO Bankomat," led by Dieter Zivan, aimed at enhancing national and international cooperation to identify the perpetrators and reduce this phenomenon, with a focus on developing security measures in collaboration with banks.