France is reeling from its second significant heist in weeks, as thieves employed explosives to breach a precious metals refinery located near the city of Lyon. The audacious raid occurred on Thursday, resulting in the theft of gold and other precious metals valued at approximately €12 million (£10.5 million, $13.8 million).
Following an immediate police response and a chase, six suspects were apprehended in the vicinity. Authorities also managed to recover the stolen haul. The refinery’s firm, Pourquery Laboratories, reported that five employees sustained minor injuries due to the explosion.
Witnesses described hearing a substantial explosion, with one neighbour noting the event was “really impressive.” Footage circulating on social media depicted individuals near a white van, with one seen using a ladder to scale the refinery’s fence, and another loading briefcases into the vehicle. The suspects, including a woman, were apprehended following the incident, and police also seized assault rifles and explosives.
This latest crime echoes the recent high-profile theft at the Louvre Museum in Paris, where four individuals used a mechanical lift to access the Gallery of Apollo. They managed to steal items worth an estimated €88 million (£76 million, $102 million) using a disc cutter on display cases. The arrests in the Louvre case now total seven, with three of the alleged thieves in custody and police continuing their search for the fourth suspect.
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