The Louvre, a renowned museum in Paris, has been temporarily closed as authorities continue their search for the culprits behind a daring jewel heist. The incident, which occurred over the weekend, involved thieves stealing priceless royal jewelry from the museum's collections, including items belonging to Napoleon Bonaparte and the Empress. The robbery, which lasted only four minutes, has left the French police and public in a state of shock and concern.
The thieves, believed to be an experienced and possibly foreign team, used a basket lift to enter the museum while it was open to the public. They forced a window, smashed display cases, and made off with jewels of 'inestimable value,' as described by France's interior minister. This brazen act has raised questions about the museum's security measures and has led to a re-evaluation of protection protocols across France.
French Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin acknowledged security failures, citing unsecured windows and a basket lift on a public road as potential vulnerabilities. The Interior Ministry has launched a forensic investigation, with a focus on compiling a precise inventory of the stolen objects, which are said to have 'inestimable' historical value. The items include a sapphire diadem, emerald necklace, and other pieces linked to 19th-century French queens and Empresses.
The Louvre, a global cultural icon, has a history of thefts, including the famous Mona Lisa heist in 1911, which made the painting a household name. The museum's 'Louvre New Renaissance' plan aims to modernize infrastructure and enhance security, but the recent robbery highlights ongoing challenges in protecting such valuable artifacts. As the investigation continues, the public awaits further updates on the case, with many expressing curiosity and concern about the fate of the stolen jewels and the museum's future security measures.
