Getty PicturesThe Louvre Museum in Paris has been pressured to shut whereas police examine a brazen heist which reportedly focused France’s priceless crown jewels.
Thieves wielding energy instruments broke into the world’s most visited museum in broad daylight, earlier than escaping on scooters with objects mentioned to be of “incalculable” worth.
Here’s what we all know concerning the crime which has shocked France.
How did the theft unfold?
The theft occurred on Sunday between 09:30 and 09:40 native time, shortly after the museum opened to guests.
The thieves seem to have used a mechanical ladder to realize entry to the Galerie d’Apollon by way of a balcony near the River Seine.
Footage from the scene confirmed a vehicle-mounted ladder main as much as a first-floor window.
The thieves are then mentioned to have reduce by glass panes with an angle grinder or chainsaw to realize entry to the museum.
Tradition Minister Rachida Dati informed French information outlet TF1 that footage of the theft confirmed the masked robbers getting into “calmly” and smashing show circumstances containing the jewels.
Nobody was injured within the incident, with Dati saying there been “no violence, very skilled”.
She described the thieves as seemingly being “skilled” with a well-prepared plan to flee on scooters.
Investigators consider three or 4 suspects had been concerned and are finding out CCTV footage from the escape route.
The entire raid occurred “very, very quick”, Inside Minister Laurent Nuñez informed France Inter radio, and was over in a handful of minutes.
One witness described scenes of “complete panic” because the museum was evacuated. Later photographs confirmed entrances closed off with metallic gates.
Getty PicturesWhat was stolen
French authorities haven’t confirmed which objects had been taken however the wing which was focused homes jewels and riches from France’s royal previous.
Dati mentioned one merchandise was discovered exterior the museum, apparently having been dropped in the course of the escape. Le Parisien newspaper reported it could have been the crown of Empress Eugénie, spouse of Napoleon III.
The newspaper mentioned the Regent Diamond – the 140-carat centrepiece of the gallery – was not stolen.
BFM reported that the stolen items had been believed to incorporate jewels belonging to Napoleon III, and {that a} second cupboard containing different regal treasures may additionally have been focused.
Nuñez described the stolen jewels “priceless” and “of immeasurable heritage worth”.
Getty PicturesHave comparable thefts occurred earlier than?
In 1911, an Italian museum worker was in a position to make off with the Mona Lisa beneath his coat after lifting the portray – which was then little-known to the general public – straight off the wall of a quiet gallery.
It was recovered after two years and the wrongdoer later mentioned he was motivated by the idea the Leonardo da Vinci masterpiece belonged in Italy.
Fewer likelihood is taken with the Mona Lisa today: the portray, maybe essentially the most famend within the museum’s assortment, hangs in a high-security glass compartment.
In 1998, the Le Chemin de Sevres – a nineteenth century portray by Camille Corot – was stolen and has by no means been discovered. The incident prompted an enormous overhaul of museum safety.
There was a latest spate of thefts focusing on French museums.
Final month, thieves broke into the Adrien Dubouche Museum in Limoges and stole porcelain works seemingly value €9.5m ($11m / £8.25m).
In November 2024, seven objects of “nice historic and heritage worth” had been stolen from the Cognacq-Jay Museum within the capital. 5 had been recovered just a few days in the past.
The identical month, armed robbers raided the Hieron Museum in Burgundy, firing photographs earlier than escaping with tens of millions of kilos value of twentieth century artworks.
