The Louvre, one of the world’s most visited museums, saw its priceless 19th-century crown jewels stolen in just seven minutes.
Thieves smashed an upstairs window and escaped on scooters with eight invaluable pieces, shocking world and raising urgent questions about museum security.
How did the theft unfold?
The robbery happened on Sunday morning (19 October), between 09:30 and 09:40 local time, shortly after the museum opened.
Four masked thieves used a vehicle-mounted mechanical lift to reach an upper window leading into the Galerie d’Apollon (Apollo Gallery), near the Seine River.
Two of them cut through the glass panes with battery-powered tools and entered the gallery.
They threatened the guards, who evacuated visitors from area, and stole items from two display cases.
A preliminary report revealed that one in three rooms in the targeted area had no CCTV cameras, making the theft easier.
The gang attempted to set fire to their vehicle outside but were stopped by museum staff.
What jewels were stolen?
The Culture Ministry confirmed that eight pieces were stolen, including a tiara, necklace, and earring from the sapphire set of Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense.
An emerald necklace and matching earrings from the Marie-Louise set, the reliquary brooch, and a tiara and large bodice knot (brooch) belonging to Empress Eugénie were also part of the loot.
The crown of Empress Eugénie was later found outside the museum, dropped during the escape.
These jewels, adorned with diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires, are considered priceless and of immense heritage value, representing France’s cultural history.
How professional was the robbery?
Authorities described the thieves as experienced, executing a carefully planned operation that lasted less than ten minutes. The robbers were unarmed but highly organised, escaping on two scooters.
Approximately 60 investigators are handling the case, with prosecutors suggesting that the heist may have been commissioned by a criminal organisation.
They also said the jewels would possibly be resold or dismantled for precious materials.
Museum security and reopening
The Louvre remains closed indefinitely, with refunds offered to visitors who booked tickets.
Police and security personnel are stationed around the museum’s entrances, and metal barriers have been installed.
The museum could reopen Wednesday (22 October) at the earliest, as it is normally closed on Tuesdays.
Public reaction
The theft sparked outrage in France. President Emmanuel Macron called it “an attack on our history,” while opposition politicians called it an intolerable humiliation.
Experts warn that if the jewels are dismantled, recovery could be extremely difficult.
A Pentagon official provided the first official estimate of the cost of the U.S. war in Iran on Wednesday (29 April), telling lawmakers that $25 bi...
The President Cup 2026 continued with a dynamic programme, as the second day marked the official start of the international regatta....
Two Jewish men have been stabbed in London in an incident that British police are treating as a terrorist attack.&nbs...
A new Georgian-language broadcaster backed by Poland’s public media has launched with promises of objectivity - but it is already fuelli...
Armenia and Georgia will co-host the 2029 FIFA U-20 World Cup, the sport’s global governing body announced on Wednesday (29 April), bringing ...
Two men accused of stealing €88 million worth of jewels from Paris’ Louvre Museum have been charged and remanded in custody, as investigators continue to search for the missing treasures.
Police have arrested five more suspects linked to the theft of treasures worth $102 million from the Louvre museum's Apollo gallery, the Paris prosecutor said on Thursday.
A Pentagon official provided the first official estimate of the cost of the U.S. war in Iran on Wednesday (29 April), telling lawmakers that $25 billion had so far been spent on the conflict, most of it on munitions. Earlier, Donald Trump said that the U.S. had "militarily defeated" Tehran.
Tensions between the United States and Iran remain high after a U.S. official said President Donald Trump was unhappy with a proposal from Tehran that does not deal with its nuclear programme. Washington is insisting that any talks must address Iran’s nuclear activities.
The death toll from a train collision near Indonesia’s capital Jakarta rose to 14 women on Tuesday (28 April), with 84 people injured, after rescuers completed efforts to free passengers trapped in the wreckage, the state rail operator said.
The decision by the United Arab Emirates to leave OPEC+ on 1 May has put renewed focus on one of the most influential groups in global energy - and how its decisions can shape oil prices worldwide.
Mexican special forces arrested Audias Flores, known as “El Jardinero”, a senior commander of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), during an operation in the western state of Nayarit, Security Minister Omar García Harfuch said on Monday (27 April).
A 21-year-old man accused of planning a terrorist attack on a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna in 2024 has pleaded guilty in part, as his trial opened on Tuesday (28 April) in Austria.
A federal jury has ruled that Ticketmaster and its parent Live Nation illegally controlled the U.S. concert ticket market for over a decade, a decision that could reshape how live music is sold and what fans ultimately pay.
Disney+ has debuted Disney Animation’s Songs in Sign Language, a new collection of animated musical sequences reimagined in American Sign Language (ASL), released on 27 April to mark National Deaf History Month.
Slovenia’s national broadcaster RTV Slovenia has confirmed it will not air the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, joining a widening boycott over Israel’s participation.
Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders have approved Paramount Skydance’s proposed takeover of the media group, advancing a deal valued at roughly $110 billion including debt in a move that could reshape Hollywood and the global entertainment industry.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment