Jewellery valued at 88 million euros (£76 million; $102 million) was stolen from the Louvre Museum in Paris during a daytime robbery, according to a French public prosecutor. Laure Beccuau, the museum’s curator, highlighted that the financial loss is significant, but the impact on France’s historical heritage may be greater. Among the stolen items are crown jewels and gifts from two Napoleons to their wives.
The theft occurred shortly after the museum opened on a Sunday morning, with thieves reportedly using power tools to complete the heist in under eight minutes. As of two days after the robbery, the suspects had not been apprehended, and experts expressed concern that the stolen jewellery might have already been disposed of.
Beccuau noted that making the estimated value public could potentially deter the thieves from destroying the items. She also warned that if the thieves melted down the jewellery, they would not reap the full financial benefit. The stolen pieces included a diamond and emerald necklace presented to Napoleon’s wife, a tiara worn by Empress Eugenie, and artifacts once owned by Queen Marie-Amelie. A damaged crown belonging to Empress Eugenie was discovered along the thieves’ escape route.
Reports indicate that four masked individuals used a truck fitted with a mechanical lift to access the Galerie d’Apollon through a balcony. After cutting a glass window and threatening museum guards to evacuate, the thieves attempted to set fire to their vehicle but were stopped by museum personnel.
In response to the robbery, French President Emmanuel Macron characterized the act as an assault on France’s cultural heritage. Following a preliminary report that indicated deficiencies in security, the Justice Minister criticized the measures in place, noting that a significant number of museum rooms lacked CCTV coverage. Security protocols are under review as authorities believe the heist was conducted by a highly organized team. Experts suggest that there is a limited window for recovering the stolen items before they may be permanently lost, potentially dismantled and sold as individual precious materials.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj9722wlmj7o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss