‘Invaluable’ gems taken in heist at Louvre Museum in Paris

Authorities have launched a manhunt for a group of robbers who executed a daring theft at Paris’s Louvre Museum in broad daylight, making off with jewels deemed invaluable.

Laurent Nuñez, the French Interior Minister, revealed that the masked intruders completed their heist in mere minutes on Sunday morning, just after the museum welcomed its guests.

It seems the thieves utilized a mechanical ladder to access a window on the first floor, subsequently smashing display cases and fleeing on mopeds.

The gallery that was raided is home to France’s royal treasures. Officials confirmed that nine items were taken, including a crown that belonged to Napoleon III’s wife, which was reportedly discarded and recovered nearby.

The Louvre was evacuated and stayed shut on Sunday.

The theft occurred around 09:30 local time (08:30 GMT) in the Galeria d’Apollon (Gallery of Apollo), as stated by the French interior ministry.

According to Paris prosecutors, the robbers employed battery-operated disc cutters to infiltrate the building.

Four individuals were implicated in the heist, with two entering the premises and threatening security personnel once inside, they reported.

A vehicle-mounted extendable ladder was observed leaning against a window not far from the River Seine, apparently neglected by the criminals.

The French culture ministry reported that the gang attempted to ignite the vehicle before their departure but were thwarted by a museum staff member.

Fortunately, there were no injuries reported during the event.

The gallery’s nine stolen items, all from France’s 19th century royalty, are adorned with thousands of diamonds and other valuable gemstones.

Included among these was a brooch that belonged to Empress Eugénie, the spouse of Napoleon III, as well as a pair of emerald earrings.

The crown of Empress Eugénie was retrieved near the location, apparently discarded by the thieves in their rush to escape.

According to the Louvre’s official site, the elaborate crown boasts golden eagles and is adorned with 1,354 diamonds and 56 emeralds. Investigators are examining it for any signs of damage.

It is believed that thieves favor targeting jewels due to their ability to be disassembled and sold for cash, while stolen art pieces often retain their distinctiveness, making them harder to sell.

Aside from their monetary worth, Nuñez remarked that the pilfered artifacts carry a cultural and historical significance that cannot be measured, calling them “priceless” and possessing “immeasurable heritage value”.

Throughout Sunday, police were seen directing tourists away from the museum, which is the most frequented in the world, as visitors continued to arrive unaware of the closure and ongoing investigation.

American visitors Jim and Joan Carpenter reported that they were on the verge of viewing Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa when security personnel “ushered us out of the gallery.”

The couple was guided past the Galeria d’Apollon and out through an emergency exit, as shared by Mrs. Carpenter to Reuters news agency.

Mr. Carpenter mentioned there was “significant confusion” within the museum, and guards informed them that there were “technical difficulties” when they inquired about the situation.

“I sensed something was amiss due to the way they evacuated the whole museum,” Mrs. Carpenter commented.

Mr. Carpenter remarked: “But it’s wonderful. This is our final day of a lengthy trip, and it’s the most thrilling part today.”