Three masked individuals carried out a robbery at the Louvre Museum in Paris shortly after it opened this morning, making off with nine pieces of jewellery, authorities report, Baltimore Chronicle, citing BBC. The Parisian Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation into suspected “organised theft and criminal conspiracy to commit a crime,” with support from a specialized unit focused on combating illegal trafficking of cultural goods.
French police confirm that the thieves gained access to the Apollo Gallery, located on the Seine River side of the museum, using a goods lift. The Apollo Gallery houses what remains of France’s crown jewels. Reports indicate that the intruders were carrying small chainsaws to facilitate the theft. They escaped on a motor-scooter, and authorities are currently assessing the total value of the stolen items.
Social media footage shared shortly after the incident shows visitors and security personnel temporarily confined inside the museum. One eyewitness posted on X (formerly Twitter) that “security are locked inside, and everyone at the gates is being told the museum is closed for today.” Grey gates at the main entrance were closed, confirming the temporary shutdown.
France’s Culture Minister Rachida Dati confirmed that there were no injuries during the robbery and that police were actively investigating the incident alongside museum staff. The Louvre itself issued a statement announcing it would remain closed for the day “for exceptional reasons.”
The Louvre Museum, one of the largest and most renowned cultural institutions in the world, covers nearly 73,000 square meters of exhibition space. Originally built in 1546 as a royal palace for King Francis I, it opened to the public as an art gallery in 1793 following the French Revolution. Today, it displays over 35,000 works of art, including Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, and attracts approximately 30,000 visitors daily.
Authorities are continuing to gather information about the robbery, including the identities of the suspects and any additional items that may have been taken. The investigation remains ongoing, and further updates are expected as more details become available.
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