The Louvre in Paris recently suffered a massive loss as thieves executed a daylight robbery, stealing jewellery valued at an astonishing €88 million (£76m; $102m). Laure Beccuau, the museum's curator, revealed this figure on RTL radio, emphasizing that the greater tragedy lies in the loss of France's historical artifacts.
On a Sunday morning shortly after the museum's opening, a group of thieves, equipped with power tools, managed to grab the prized items in under eight minutes. Some highlighted pieces included crown jewels and gifts exchanged between two Napoleons and their spouses.
The ongoing investigation has left experts worried that the stolen jewellery might already be untraceable, especially since the robbers have yet to be caught two days post-theft.
Beccuau stated, The estimated worth of the jewels is extraordinary, but the historical value is irreplaceable. There is a glimmer of hope that publicizing the jewel’s value might deter the robbers from destroying the items to hide evidence.
The heist included historic artifacts, among them a diamond and emerald necklace once belonging to Napoleon's wife, a tiara worn by Empress Eugenie, and other items linked to Queen Marie-Amelie. Investigators have found remnants of dropped loot, including a damaged crown on the robbers' escape path, indicating a hurried escape.
The thieves executed their plan with the precision of professionals, arriving in a truck modified for a swift getaway, and they had a backup plan to set fire to their vehicle—an attempt thwarted by alert museum staff.
This incident has drawn harsh criticism from French President Emmanuel Macron, who claimed it was an offensive attack on France's cultural legacy. Following the event, security protocols in cultural institutions are under substantial review due to serious lapses in surveillance, with reports revealing that one-third of rooms in the Louvre lacked CCTV coverage.
Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin lamented the inadequate security measures that allowed such a brazen act and stressed the necessity for improved protection of cultural treasures to preserve France’s identity.
With art recovery experts noting that crucial time is running out to recover these invaluable items, immediate action is essential to track down the stolen pieces before they are lost forever in the black market.
