Questions are arising regarding the methods used by thieves in executing a bold theft at the Louvre Museum, where they absconded with jewels valued at an astonishing £76 million, as confirmed by the Paris prosecutor. French culture minister Rachida Dati stated to the National Assembly that the security system at the Louvre did not fail but rather functioned as intended.
Outrage swept the nation following the incident, as thieves utilized a ladder mounted on a vehicle to access a window, break glass display cases, and make off with eight pieces of Napoleonic jewelry adorned with numerous diamonds and gemstones, all accomplished in under eight minutes.
Dati announced the commencement of an administrative inquiry in addition to the police investigation to ensure transparency but did not provide any insights into how the theft occurred despite the presence of operational cameras.
The theft was described by Dati as a significant blow, emphasizing the Louvre’s role as not only the world’s largest museum but also a symbol of French culture and heritage.
Interior minister Laurent Nunez disclosed that the museum’s alarm was activated when the Apollo Gallery window was forced open, with police responding within minutes of being alerted by a witness. Nunez refrained from divulging details about potential surveillance footage capturing the thieves, citing the ongoing police probe.
The heist involved four masked individuals who accessed a balcony near the Apollo Gallery using a truck-mounted lift. While two members cut through glass panes with a battery-powered tool to gain entry and threaten guards, the remaining group members looted the treasures, shattered display cases, and fled the scene within four minutes.
Reportedly, eight valuable items were stolen, including pieces linked to historical figures like Marie-Amelie, Hortense, Empress Marie-Louise, and Empress Eugénie, containing precious gems and diamonds.
The museum, closed in the aftermath of the robbery, remained shuttered on Monday and Tuesday, with uncertainty prevailing about its scheduled reopening on Wednesday.