The Apollo Gallery (Galerie d'Apollon) in the Louvre Museum, Paris, which houses the French royal jewelry collection, was invaded by four masked robbers on Sunday morning (Oct. 19). Authorities confirmed that a total of eight precious jewels from the Napoleonic era were stolen.
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the incident as a severe violation of national heritage, pledging to spare no effort in recovering the stolen items, bringing the perpetrators to justice with severe punishment, and emphasizing that museum security systems would be enhanced.
The four suspects used a lifting platform to access the building's terrace that day, broke into two high-security display cases using angle grinders, stole the jewels, and escaped on motorcycles. During the incident, the robbers threatened security personnel with tools but caused no casualties. Louvre staff immediately activated security protocols, notified the police, and secured the scene. The suspects dropped some equipment and a crown belonging to Empress Eugénie while fleeing. The crown has been recovered but was reportedly damaged.
Empress Eugénie's crown left behind during escape
The Paris Prosecutor's Office has opened an investigation for "organized gang theft" and "committing crimes as part of a group," confirming the pursuit of four suspects involved. Police found a yellow vest worn by one suspect outside the Louvre. Authorities preliminarily believe the crime was carried out by a professional criminal gang, possibly foreigners. Approximately 60 investigators are currently working on the case.
The list of eight stolen items released by the museum includes the crowns of Queen Amélie and Queen Hortense, a sapphire necklace and earrings, the emerald necklace and earrings of Queen Louise, a reliquary-style brooch, as well as the crown and a large corsage brooch of Empress Eugénie.
Following the robbery, the Louvre announced its closure for the day on Sunday (Oct. 19). It partially reopened on Monday but closed again temporarily after nearly an hour of opening. The official website announced that visitors with pre-booked tickets would receive full refunds. French Minister of Justice, Gérald Darmanin, publicly stated that this heist negatively impacts France's image and admitted there were clear security vulnerabilities at the Louvre that gave the robbers an opportunity.
French Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati, affirmed the quick response of the museum staff, noting that under the framework of President Macron's "Louvre's New Renaissance" project announced earlier this year, the museum is deploying a new generation of security measures, including updating the CCTV system, adding perimeter intrusion detection systems, and establishing a new central security command center.
As one of the world's most visited museums, this incident has again raised concerns about the protection of cultural heritage. Macron posted on social media, emphasizing that all resources would be mobilized under the lead of the Paris Prosecutor's Office to recover the cultural relics and reiterating the nation's firm commitment to safeguarding its shared history and memory.
The Robbers' Trail
French newspaper Le Parisien previously reported that the incident occurred around 9:30 AM, half an hour after opening. Two men drove a vehicle with a lifting platform and parked it on the Seine side of the Louvre outside the targeted exhibition room, while two others acted as lookouts and getaway drivers on motorcycles.
The two men who broke into the exhibition hall wore yellow work vests disguised as workers. They first used the lifting platform to climb to the exterior of the hall, then used angle grinders to break through a window, a process taking four minutes.
Upon entry, they immediately threatened a guard with an angle grinder, cut open the display cases to steal the jewels, then quickly descended and fled. The entire operation lasted seven minutes.
A witness reported seeing a vehicle with a lifting platform, its platform extended to a window of the Louvre, believed to be one of the tools left behind by the suspects.
Tourists: 'Unbelievable'
Mr. Wang, a Chinese tourist present during the Louvre heist, recalled hearing the sound of glass being cut, and then smelling a burning odor as he was directed to leave by security. Another tourist said all visitors were evacuated to the Louvre entrance, guarded by soldiers with guns, and were allowed to leave about half an hour later.
Ryan el Mandari, a tour guide leading a group in the Louvre at the time, said he was completely unaware a robbery was happening; he heard some noise, like someone breaking a window.
"I was just trying to figure out what's happening when I saw the museum staff going to that noise. Then they did a turn around, like real quick, and they started running and saying 'get out, get out, get out, get out, evacuate!'"
Several tourists found it incredible that the Louvre was "breached" in just a few minutes, never expecting such an event at this world-renowned museum. They also expressed disappointment at missing their visit due to the closure following the incident.
Almeida, from Brazil, on his first sightseeing trip to Paris, had planned his Louvre visit early. Now, he could only take a commemorative photo with the glass pyramid in the background from a distance. He expressed great sadness at missing the chance to visit the Louvre. Although public security in his hometown Rio de Janeiro isn't great either.
"I never expected something like this to happen in Paris."
(With input from Wen Wei Po, CNN, United Daily News; English Editor: Darius)
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