Over the weekend, a heist at the Louvre resulted in the theft of treasures worth over $100 million, as reported by a French prosecutor on Tuesday. This incident has intensified the examination of security protocols at France’s cultural sites.
On Sunday, thieves executed a daring daylight robbery at the Louvre, absconding with invaluable royal jewels in just seven minutes.
The Louvre curator estimated the damages at 88 million euros, approximately $102 million, according to Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau, who described it as an “extraordinary” amount.
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Beccuau noted that the greater loss was to France’s historical heritage, stressing that melting the jewels would render them worthless.
This theft is the most recent in a series of museum burglaries in France, prompting authorities to bolster security measures.
Numerous investigators are still searching for the perpetrators, working with the theory that an organized crime group used a truck and ladder to access the museum, dropping a diamond-studded crown during their escape.
Beccuau confirmed four individuals were involved in the robbery, with authorities analyzing fingerprints from the site.
Investigators are reviewing video footage from the Louvre and surrounding highways for clues about the four robbers, who fled on scooters.
The heist has sparked debate over museum security, following recent incidents at other French institutions.
In January, Louvre president Laurence des Cars warned Culture Minister Rachida Dati about the “alarming obsolescence” of the facilities, urging urgent renovations.
Interior Minister Laurent Nunez announced plans to enhance security around cultural venues.
During Sunday’s heist, thieves parked a truck with an extendable ladder under the museum’s Apollo Gallery shortly after it opened, using cutting tools to break through a window and steal jewellery from display cases.
They escaped with eight irreplaceable items, including an emerald-and-diamond necklace gifted by Napoleon I to Empress Marie-Louise and a diadem belonging to Empress Eugenie, adorned with nearly 2,000 diamonds.
The Louvre defended its security measures, stating the display cases installed in 2019 significantly improved security.
The museum remained closed on Tuesday as per its usual schedule, following closures on Sunday and Monday after the heist, disappointing many tourists.
