Euro devaluation mystery

Published on Friday 3 November 2006 00:07

GERMAN banknotes have been falling to pieces after a mysterious acid attack, the country's central bank said yesterday.

Police are investigating why around 1,500 notes worth between 5 and 100 have crumbled after being withdrawn from cash machines, the Bundesbank said.

"We've never seen a case like this," said spokesman Wolf-Ruediger Bengs.

The first incident was reported in Berlin in June. Tests have shown the notes were contaminated with an acid used as an industrial cleaning agent. The Bundesbank has ruled out printing problems.

"It's still unclear if we're talking about unintentional damage or a conscious manipulation," the spokesman added.

One theory is that the notes had been stolen and the thieves had used acid in an effort to remove identification markings.

Police do not think there is any health threat.