In brief
In a shocking incident at the Louvre Museum, thieves executed a sophisticated heist, stealing priceless jewelry within minutes, raising alarms about the security failures in one of the world's most renowned cultural landmarks. Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin condemned the event, stating it has tarnished France's image. Experts warn that if the culprits are not apprehended quickly, the stolen items may be gone forever.
Security measures failed in preventing a major jewellery heist in the Louvre museum in Paris on Sunday, creating a very negative image of the country, the French justice minister has said.
People were able to park a furniture hoist in the middle of Paris, get people up it in several minutes to grab priceless jewels and give France a terrible image, Gérald Darmanin stated.
Thieves wielding power tools broke into the world's most-visited museum in broad daylight, stealing eight items described as being of inestimable value before escaping on scooters.
There are fears that unless the thieves are caught quickly, the priceless items - including a diamond and emerald necklace Emperor Napoleon gave to his wife - will be broken up and smuggled out of the country.
Darmanin expressed confidence that police would eventually arrest the thieves. However, Chris Marinello, the CEO of Art Recovery International, warned that if the thieves are not apprehended in the next 24 to 48 hours, the stolen jewellery will likely be long gone as they often break these items apart for easier sale.
The theft occurred shortly after the museum opened to visitors, with four masked thieves using a truck and mechanical lift to access the Galerie d'Apollon via a balcony. In mere seven minutes, they managed to smash display cases and steal jewels valued at thousands of diamonds and gemstones.
The robbery raised immediate concerns for future security measures at the Louvre, with the French police acknowledging the urgency of the situation and the necessity of swift action to recover the stolen artifacts.
