"Incalculable" Loss: Thieves Target French Crown Jewels at Louvre
October 19, 25
(IDEX Online) - Thieves broke into the Louvre earlier today (9.30am local time, Sunday, 19 October), and stole priceless treasures from a gallery that houses the French crown jewels.
It is not yet clear exactly what was taken in the raid, though it is reported that nine items were stolen.
France's interior minister Laurent Nunez says they have "an incalculable historical and cultural value".
The heist lasted just seven minutes, according to police in Paris.
The gang, believed to be three or four men, used a mobile furniture lift to reach a first-floor balcony and used power tools to break through a window of the Gallerie d'Apollon (Apollo's Gallery). They then escaped on motor scooters.
The gallery houses what remains of the France's crown jewels. Many items were lost or sold after the French Revolution in 1789, but some precious items remained.
Experts say it will be near-impossible to sell on the stolen items. They say the diamonds will also be hard to sell because of their old cuts.
There are fears that the pieces may be melted down for their gold.
The Louvre, home to the Mona Lisa and other priceless works of art, was closed today as police assess the damage and draw up a list of stolen items.
The Louvre's website today carries a message that reads: ""The Louvre Museum will remain closed today for exceptional reasons. Those who booked a visit for today will be refunded. We thank you for your understanding."
Pic, courtesy the Louvre, shows Apollo's Gallery.