Louvre robbery Hunt continues for thieves after priceless jewels stolen in heist at Louvre museum in Paris – live updates
“Priceless” jewels have been stolen from Paris’ Louvre Museum. The world-famous landmark has been forced to close due to a daring robbery.
The world’s most popular museum, which attracts more than 30,000 visitors daily, announced on XX that it was closing on Sunday for “exceptional reasons.” Officials gave details of the raid when the museum, which is the world’s most popular museum and attracts more than 30,000 visitors daily, announced on XX that it was closing on Sunday for “exceptional reasons.”
Culture Minister Rachida Dati said footage of the operation showed the thieves “not targeting people, but entering calmly, breaking display cases, looting, and leaving within four minutes.”
“No violence, absolutely professional,” she told TF1.
French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said the intruders in this “major robbery” entered the museum via a basket lift using a platform mounted on a truck.
It’s unclear whether they brought all the tools they used with them, as the massive building where the break-in took place is under construction along the Seine River.
Mr. Nunez said: “They broke a window and went to several display cases, from where they stole jewelry. These gems are of real heritage value and are truly priceless.”
The Interior Ministry said the criminals fled on two motorcycles. No injuries were reported.
The number of robbers has not been confirmed, but Mr. Nunez told France Inter that three or four thieves entered the museum.
Mr. Nunez said the gang was well prepared and had inspected the venue. He further stated that they cut the window panes with a “disc cutter” before fleeing on a “Tmax,” a type of Yamaha maxi-scooter.
Following the break-in that occurred between 9:30 and 9:40 a.m. (8:30 and 8:40 a.m. UK time), forensic investigations are underway and a detailed list of the stolen items is being compiled.
The Home Office stated that after breaking in, they headed towards the Galerie d’Apollon (Apollo Gallery), which houses the French Crown Jewels collection.
French daily newspaper Le Parisien quoted police as saying that the suspects were wearing hoods and were carrying “small chainsaws.”
According to the newspaper, the robbers reportedly made off with nine pieces of jewelry, including a necklace, a brooch, and a tiara, from display cases dedicated to Napoleon and the French Sovereign.
According to Le Parisien, two suspects remained inside while the third remained outside.
Ms. Dati said a piece of jewelry was recovered outside the museum that appeared to have fallen during the escape, but she did not specify what it was.
According to Le Parisien, it is believed to have been a broken crown belonging to Napoleon III’s wife, Empress Eugénie.
After an alarm was raised this morning, police sealed off the museum and evacuated visitors.
Police said detectives from the city police’s serious crime unit are leading the investigation and are using “all available resources” to recover the stolen items.
Social media users have posted photos and videos from inside and outside the building, one of which shows people running out “in complete panic.”
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