At around 3:00 a.m. on September 26, 2009, three men arrived outside a bank in Dinant, Belgium. Their target was an ATM, and their plan was simple: use dynamite to blow open the machine, take the cash, and escape before anyone noticed.
The streets were quiet, the bank was closed, and there appeared to be no security nearby. The men believed they had found the perfect opportunity for a quick robbery.
But they had made one serious mistake. None of them understood explosives. What happened next destroyed the entire bank, killed two of the men, and left the third facing arrest.
The Plan to Rob an ATM in Dinant, Belgium
Bajram Gashi was sitting in the passenger seat of a car driven by his friend Tasin. Another friend was sitting in the backseat.
As they drove through Dinant, Bajram spotted the bank and became excited. He turned toward his friend in the backseat and asked if he was ready. The friend nodded.
They had come prepared to rob the ATM outside the bank.
Their roles were already decided. Tasin would remain in the driver’s seat and act as the getaway driver. Bajram and the third man would get out of the car and carry out the robbery.
They believed the operation would take only a few minutes.
Three Men Prepare to Blow Up an ATM
When Tasin stopped the car outside the bank, the streets were empty. Nobody appeared to be watching, and there were no obvious obstacles.
Bajram and his friend got out of the vehicle and gathered their equipment. They walked toward the ATM and began setting up their plan.
Tasin watched from the car as the two men worked together near the machine.
Their intention was to use dynamite to destroy the front of the ATM and reach the cash stored inside.
However, the men had little or no knowledge of explosives. They had brought a large quantity of dynamite without understanding how much was actually needed for the job.
The ATM Refuses to Explode
At first, everything appeared to be going according to plan.
Bajram and his friend positioned their equipment near the ATM. They seemed to expect an explosion, but nothing happened.
From the car, Tasin could see that something was wrong. The two men appeared frustrated. They were talking to each other and adjusting the equipment.
They kept trying to make their setup work.
Tasin had no idea what was happening. He was waiting for the explosion that would allow his friends to collect the money and return to the car.
But the situation was about to take a terrible turn.
A Massive Explosion Destroys the Bank
Suddenly, Tasin saw an incredibly bright flash of light.
A moment later, a powerful shockwave hit the area.
The explosion was far larger than anyone could have expected. Dust and debris filled the street, and the bank building was almost completely destroyed.
From inside the car, Tasin could barely understand what had happened.
The building that had been standing moments earlier was now reduced to rubble. He could not even see Bajram or their other friend.
He checked himself for injuries and tried to understand the situation.
Then he heard sirens approaching.
It was clear that the robbery had gone horribly wrong.
Why the Dynamite Explosion Was So Deadly
The men had intended to use dynamite to break open the ATM. Instead, they used far more explosive material than the job required.
They did not understand how dangerous their plan was.
Explosives are not ordinary tools. Their effects depend on several factors, including the amount used, the surrounding structure, and the conditions of the explosion.
The men had apparently brought a massive quantity of dynamite without knowing how to handle it safely.
After struggling to make their equipment work, they eventually triggered the explosives.
The blast destroyed the ATM, but it also brought down the bank building.
Bajram Gashi and his friend were killed in the explosion. Their plan to steal money ended with both men losing their lives.
The Getaway Driver Survives and Is Arrested
Tasin, who had remained inside the car, survived the explosion.
However, instead of waiting for his friends, he decided to leave the scene.
He drove away as emergency services approached.
His escape did not last long. Authorities quickly arrested him and sent him to jail.
The man who had agreed to act as the getaway driver was now facing the consequences of his involvement in the attempted ATM robbery.
A Failed ATM Robbery With Fatal Consequences
The attempted robbery in Dinant was supposed to be a quick operation carried out under the cover of darkness.
The three men believed they could destroy an ATM, collect the money, and disappear before anyone noticed.
But their lack of knowledge about explosives turned the robbery into a disaster.
Bajram Gashi and his accomplice died when the dynamite destroyed the bank. Tasin survived but was arrested after driving away from the scene.
Their plan did not make them rich. Instead, it ended in death, destruction, and imprisonment.
The incident shows how a criminal plan built on dangerous assumptions can have consequences far beyond what those involved expect.