‘Priceless’ jewellery stolen from Louvre in raid by ‘experienced’ thieves
“Priceless” historic jewellery has been stolen from the Louvre in Paris
after a highly professional robbery by men who used an angle grinder to
break through glass and enter one of the museum’s most ornate rooms.
The
world’s most-visited museum was suddenly closed for the day after the
break-in targeted pieces in two glass cases in its Apollon gallery,
where the French crown jewels are held.
The French interior minister, Laurent Nuñez, visited the scene and told France Inter radio that “priceless” jewels “of unmeasurable heritage value” were stolen after what was clearly a well-organised raid.
The
thieves struck at 9.30am local time on Sunday and Nuñez said it took
them seven minutes to make off with the jewels. He said: “They stole
jewels which have a real heritage value, an inestimable heritage value.”
The thieves approached the building from the
outside, at an area where building work was taking place. A truck and a
goods lift were used to access the museum. They used an angle grinder to
break windows and enter. Nuñez said it was the work of “an experienced
team who had clearly scouted the location”.
He
said three or four suspects had fled – their route was known and police
were investigating whether it was a gang known to them for other
crimes. Investigators were studying footage from security cameras.
Nuñez
would not confirm what jewels were taken but said the thieves targeted
two glass cases. The Apollon wing of the Louvre has a set of historic
crowns, diadems and sovereign jewellery.
Nuñez
said the museum was evacuated to preserve evidence and to allow
investigators and forensics teams to carry out their work. The Paris
prosecutor has opened an inquiry into the theft.
The French culture minister, Rachida Dati, was
first to announce the incident. “A robbery took place this morning at
the opening of the Louvre Museum,” she wrote on social media. She used
the French word braquage, which can mean robbery or hold-up.
She added: “No injuries reported. I’m on site with museum staff and police.”
Dati confirmed that one stolen piece of jewellery was recovered outside the museum where the thieves had fled.
At
least one person had entered the museum, a member of her team told
Agence France-Presse, without adding anything about any possible theft.
The
Louvre, said it was closing for the day “for exceptional reasons”,
without providing further details on what had been stolen.
One
of the largest arts centres on the planet, the Louvre attracts more
than 8 million visitors a year. Its works range from classical sculpture
to the Mona Lisa, Leonardo da Vinci’s 16-century masterpiece and the
world’s most famous portrait.
In January, the French president, Emmanuel Macron, announced a major renovation of the museum after its director said that visiting the overcrowded building had become a “physical ordeal”.
In
a note to the cultural ministry leaked to the media in January, the
Louvre’s director, Laurence des Cars, had said the space below the
museum’s glass pyramid entrance was not properly insulated from the cold
or heat, tended to amplify noise, and was uncomfortable for both the public and the staff.
Des
Cars also raised the alarm over water leaks, failing infrastructure and
temperature swings that endanger the conservation of works of art.
Visitors faced overcrowding and substandard facilities, she said.
