Authorities have detailed how intruders breached the Louvre in a ‘major robbery,’ resulting in the theft of ‘priceless’ artifacts.
Early Sunday morning (October 19), Paris police reported that burglars executed one of the most audacious break-ins in the history of the renowned museum.
The Louvre, established in 1793, is home to numerous famous artworks, including Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘Mona Lisa’, as well as a vast collection of archaeological items from various historical eras.
Following the startling heist, the museum announced its closure for ‘exceptional reasons’ today. Meanwhile, police swarmed the area as visitors were evacuated from the premises.
Although French authorities have yet to fully unravel the event, emerging details include how the perpetrators gained entry, made their escape, and what they allegedly stole from the extensive collection.
Le Parisien reports that masked individuals entered the building from the side closest to the River Seine, where construction is currently taking place.
The group, consisting of approximately three or four members, reportedly used a goods lift to access the Apollo Gallery around 9.30am.
One suspect allegedly acted as a lookout while the others executed the theft.
Fortunately, there were no injuries. The BBC states that the intruders used chainsaws and shattered windows to infiltrate the elaborate room.
The robbery was completed in just seven minutes, as noted by Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, who commented: “They broke a window and went towards several display cases where they stole jewellery. These are jewels that have genuine heritage value and are, in fact, priceless.”
Nuñez added that the heist was meticulously planned, with prior surveillance of the site, and that window panes were cut ‘with a disc cutter.’
The thieves reportedly seized a valuable collection of jewels from the display cases before fleeing on motorbikes.
The exact value and inventory of the stolen items are still being determined. However, the ministry has emphasized that the jewels hold immense historical and cultural significance beyond their financial worth.
Initial reports suggest that a necklace, a brooch, and a tiara might be among the nine items taken from the Napoleon and French Sovereigns exhibits.
French Culture Minister Rachida Dati informed French news station TF1 that one piece of jewelry was recovered near the crime scene, having been dropped.
Though not officially confirmed, some reports indicate the item was a crown belonging to Empress Eugénie, which was allegedly damaged.
The Gallery of Apollo houses the last remaining historic crown jewels of France after most were sold or lost following the French Revolution.
It also features three significant diamonds, the Regent, a 140-carat diamond, as well as the Sancy and the Hortensia, which are believed to be unharmed.
The Parisian Public Prosecutor’s Office has initiated an investigation into ‘organized theft and criminal conspiracy to commit a crime.’
They have also confirmed a ‘theft of jewellery’ at the Louvre, with the extent of the damage still being assessed.