The museum confirmed the theft of pieces from its permanent collection and remains under strict custody while the investigation continues.
The president of France, Emmanuel Macronreferred this Sunday to the robbery occurred at the Louvre Museum and described it as “an attack against a heritage that we appreciate because it is part of our history.” Through a statement on his social networks, the president assured that the Government mobilized all resources to recover the stolen works and arrest those responsible.
The theft occurred in the most emblematic museum in France, which houses some of the most valuable works in the world. Although the authorities of the Louvre confirmed the theft of pieces belonging to their permanent collectionthe number or identity of the stolen works has not yet been revealed.
The Paris prosecutor’s office and the french judicial police lead the investigation, which also has the collaboration of Interpol and other international organizations dedicated to the protection of cultural heritage. The museum remains closed to the public and under strong security reinforcement while expert reports are carried out and internal camera recordings are analyzed.
In his message, Macron underlined the symbolic value of the museum and reaffirmed his commitment to cultural protection: “We will recover the works and those responsible will be brought to justice. “Everything possible is being done, everywhere, to achieve this, under the direction of the Paris prosecutor’s office,” the president wrote.
The head of state also mentioned the program “Louvre Nouvelle Renaissance”launched in January, which provides a modernization and security plan integral to the premises. “It will guarantee the preservation and protection of what constitutes our memory and our culture,” he stressed.
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For their part, sources of French Ministry of Culture They described the event as “a attack on the heart of national heritage” and stressed that the priority is recover stolen parts as soon as possible. The Minister of Culture, Rachida Datiwill move to the museum in the next few hours to supervise the operation.
The Louvre, visited by more than 8 million people every yearis one of the most recognized symbols of France. The theft, which occurred in a still unclear context, is considered one of the most serious incidents in the museum’s recent history.
What exactly happened at the Louvre?
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On Sunday morning, a group of between three and four criminals attacked the museum shortly after it opened to the public. Using heavy equipment, they managed to access one of the most important rooms and stole historical pieces.
What was stolen?
The main loot are jewels from the collection of the French Crown, described by authorities as being of “inestimable value”. They looted two display cases from the Apollo Gallery. French media stated that they took nine pieces from the collection of Napoleon and Empress Eugenie. One of the jewels, the empress’s crown, was found damaged outside the museum.
How did the thieves get in?
It was a movie operation. Taking advantage of the fact that there is work on the façade facing the Seine River, the thieves used a truck with an “articulated arm” (a crane or lifting platform) to reach directly the gallery window on the first floor. Once there, they used small chainsaws or disc cutters to break the glass and enter.
Source: Ambito
