"The robbery is likely to raise awkward questions about security at the museum, where officials had already sounded the alarm about lack of investment at a world-famous site that welcomed 8.7 million visitors in 2024. The thieves struck at about 9.30am when the museum had already opened its doors to the public, and entered the Galerie d'Apollon building, the Interior Ministry said in a statement."
"The robbery took around four minutes, Culture Minister Rachida Dati told TF1, and it was carried out by professionals. "We saw some footage: they don't target people, they enter calmly in four minutes, smash display cases, take their loot, and leave. No violence, very professional," she said on TF1. She said one piece of jewellery had been recovered outside the museum, apparently dropped as they made their escape."
"Interior Minister Laurent Nunez told France Inter that three or four thieves got into the museum from outside using a crane that was positioned on a truck. "They broke a window, headed to several display cases and stole jewels ... which have a real historical, priceless value," Nunez said. A video posted on X by a museum guide showed visitors filing towards exits in the middle of their tour, initially unaware of the reason for the disruption."
The Louvre's Galerie d'Apollon was breached around 9:30am when thieves entered during public visiting hours using a crane mounted on a truck. The theft took about four minutes, with assailants smashing display cases and seizing historically priceless jewels without resorting to violence. One jewel was recovered outside the museum, apparently dropped during the escape and reportedly identified as part of Empress Eugenie's crown and found broken. Specialized police have opened an investigation and a unit with high success in high-profile robberies is leading the probe. No injuries were reported and the museum closed for the day for exceptional reasons.
Read at Irish Independent
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