Paris’ Louvre Museum was forced to close after a 7-minute raid by thieves, who made off with jewelry worth millions
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Thieves broke into the Louvre museum in Paris, France, on Sunday, Oct. 19
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Jewelry worth millions has been stolen in show cases, a company spokesperson said
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According to local reports, the robbers were armed with power tools and fled on a motorbike
The Louvre Museum is closed following the 7-minute strike.
Sunday, Oct. 19, thieves broke into a famous museum in Paris, France, and escaped with jewelry worth millions who were in trouble, said a spokesperson for the Louvre in a statement to the public.
The incident took place around 9:30 am local time, and many people forced their way through the window at the Galerie D’Apollon (Apollo Gallery), which had opened its doors to the public.
“They stole jewelry from the exhibits inside the museum and fled on motorcycles,” the statement said. “An investigation has begun, and a detailed list of the stolen items is being compiled.
“Through their market value, these objects have an incomparable historical value. The cultural and interior ministers are in the museum’s management,” said the statement.
Dimitar dilkoff / afp via GETTY
Police surround the Louvre after a robbery at the museum on Oct. 19
Museum management decided to close the attraction following the incident as a precautionary measure and to “preserve evidence” amid ongoing investigations.
“All possible measures are being taken to recover the stolen items,” the Louvre said in a statement.
French Culture Minister Rachida Rachida revealed in a statement to X that no injuries among the public, Louvre staff, or law enforcement personnel were reported following the robbery.
“I am in the area next to the museum and police teams. The investigation is ongoing,” said Dati.
The thieves allegedly entered the building armed with small chainsaws and angle grinders to reach the room they were targeting, France 24 said. French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez told the Outlet that the robbery lasted seven minutes.
It is believed that there are four people involved in this matter, at the French outlet Le Parisien. Two of them wore yellow camouflage vests as museum workers, and the other two were on hand.
Nine pieces of jewelery from Napoleon and emphatic Marie-Louise and the Eugenie collection were stolen, Le Parisien Reported. Culture Minister Fati confirmed later on Sunday that the piece of jewelry was “found near the museum,” near This figaro. A total of two pieces of jewelry have since been recovered, according to the report Le Parisien.
Dimitar dilkoff / afp via GETTY
The Louvre was closed after several pieces of jewelry were stolen from the museum on Oct. 19
The Apollo Gallery is home to the oldest, most beautiful gems in France. The French Crown Jewels are on display, as well as historic diamonds – the regent, meeting and Hortensia – that belonged to Napoleon’s second wife, Empress Marie Louise, through the Museum’s website.
After the heist on Sunday, the Louvre announced to X that “it will remain closed today for different reasons.”
Police and forensic teams were seen looking inside the museum following the robbery. Soldiers with automatic rifles were also seen walking around the scene, AFP reported.
The Paris prosecutor’s office called Robbery “systematic theft.” They opened an investigation into the robbery, respectively This Parisian.
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