Louvre Heist: Thieves Target Priceless Jewels

The Louvre Museum has been closed for two consecutive days following a daring daylight robbery that resulted in the theft of nine exquisite pieces of jewelry. A specialized team of 60 investigators is pursuing leads that suggest an organized crime group orchestrated the heist, which occurred shortly after the museum opened on Sunday. The thieves, using a truck with an extendable ladder, broke in through a window and completed the robbery in a mere seven minutes, escaping with most items but leaving behind a damaged crown adorned with over 1,300 diamonds.

Among the stolen treasures are an emerald-and-diamond necklace gifted by Napoleon I and a stunning diadem that belonged to Empress Eugenie. The absence of these priceless artifacts has sparked criticism regarding the Louvre's security measures, prompting French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez to call for enhanced protection at cultural sites. This incident marks the first theft from the Louvre since 1998 and highlights a growing concern about the vulnerability of France's museums to theft.