A robbery took place at the world-famous Louvre Museum in Paris on Sunday morning. French Culture Minister Rachida Dati revealed on X about the heist. Further, she said that it would be closed for the rest of the day for “exceptional reasons” without further explanation. Many were shocked to hear the news as the museum is heavily guarded.
Reportedly, thieves used a basket lift to break into the Louvre, forced a window, smashed display cases and escaped with jewels of inestimable value, France’s interior minister Laurent Nuñez said. The panes were cut with a disc cutter. He said it was manifestly a team that had done scouting. No injuries were reported.
Around 9.30 am, 3-4 intruders wielding small chainsaws arrived at the Louvre. They entered from the side facing the Seine River, where construction work is underway, using a construction ladder and cutting the window panes “with a disc cutter”. Breaking in, they headed towards the Galerie d’Apollon, where they stole “nine pieces from the jewellery collection of Napoleon and the Empress”. Later, they fled on two-wheelers.
The ministry said forensic work is underway and a precise inventory of the stolen objects is being compiled, adding that the items have “inestimable” historical and patrimonial value. Police sealed off the museum and evacuated visitors. New visitors at the Museum were turned away and nearby streets were closed. French newspaper Le Parisien also reported that one stolen jewel was later found outside the museum. Citing early investigative findings, the paper said it was believed to be Empress Eugénie’s crown and that it had been broken.
The Museum is home to more than 33,000 works spanning antiquities, sculpture and painting — from Mesopotamia, Egypt and the classical world to European masters — the Louvre’s star attractions include the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo and the Winged Victory of Samothrace. The Galerie d’Apollon displays a selection of the French Crown Jewels.
Related
Tags Paris Museum
