Looted Louvre treasures may never be found, experts say

"(CNN) The Louvre museum in Paris announced it would remain closed Monday as investigations continue into Sunday's extraordinary theft of historic jewelry and experts say the prospects of recovering the treasures are slim. In a post on X, the museum said it regretted Monday's closure, as France begins to digest the implications of the brazen heist in which robbers made off with artifacts from the French crown jewels, dating from the Napoleonic era."

"How did the heist happen? The thieves used a truck-mounted ladder to gain access to the Apollo Gallery, one of the most ornate rooms in the Louvre, through a window. RELATED: Louvre heist: Crown jewels stolen in 4-minute daytime raid Armed with tools including an angle grinder and a blowtorch, they targeted two high-security display cases. The entire operation lasted just seven minutes, authorities said, with the suspects fleeing on motorcyles."

"French Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin admitted that the Louvre heist exposed security failings at the museum. One can wonder about the fact that, for example, the windows hadn't been secured, about the fact that a basket lift was on a public road, he said on France Inter radio. What is certain is that we have failed. The French people all feel like they've been robbed, he added."

The Louvre closed Monday as investigations continue into a brazen daytime theft of Napoleonic-era crown jewels and experts warn recovery prospects are slim. Thieves used a truck-mounted ladder to enter the Apollo Gallery through a window, used tools including an angle grinder and blowtorch to breach two high-security display cases, and fled on motorcycles; the operation lasted about seven minutes. Stolen pieces include a diamond-and-sapphire tiara and necklace set with 24 Ceylon sapphires and 1,083 diamonds, and an emerald necklace and earrings gifted by Napoleon containing 32 emeralds and 1,138 diamonds. Eight of nine items remain unaccounted for. Officials acknowledged security failings such as unsecured windows and a basket lift on a public road, and public sentiment is one of having been robbed.

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