The French Justice Minister has expressed dismay following a significant jewellery heist at the Louvre Museum, stating that the incident has projected a “terrible image” of France. The daring daylight robbery saw thieves employing a furniture hoist to access the museum, making off with eight priceless items, including historical pieces once belonging to French royalty.
Authorities are now engaged in a race against time, as experts warn that the valuable jewels, which can be easily dismantled and sold piecemeal, may disappear permanently if the culprits are not apprehended within 48 hours. “There is a race going on right now,” noted Chris Marinello, CEO of Art Recovery International, emphasizing the difficulty in recovering the items once they are broken down.
The thieves targeted the renowned Gallery of Apollo, using power tools and a mechanical lift to breach the museum’s defenses. Despite the alarms sounding and staff following protocol, the robbers managed to smash display cases and escape with the historical artifacts, including a diamond and emerald necklace gifted by Napoleon to his wife, Empress Marie Louise, and a diamond-encrusted tiara belonging to Empress Eugénie. The swiftness of the heist, lasting only seven minutes, has raised serious questions about the museum’s security.
While the French Justice Minister remains confident that the thieves will be caught, the focus is now on the potential recovery of the stolen treasures, which represent a significant loss to France’s cultural heritage.
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