An astonishing heist lasting several minutes, where audacious thieves stole invaluable items from the renowned Louvre museum, was made possible by significant security oversights, according to French authorities. The daring robbery at the iconic art gallery in Paris resulted in the theft of artifacts with immense historical significance that once belonged to French royalty and colonial leaders. The culprits, who remain at large, effortlessly entered the museum, broke glass display cases, and swiftly exited with their loot in just seven minutes, sparking national outrage and raising concerns about the breach at one of the world’s most heavily guarded museums.
The security lapses that facilitated the theft have come to light, shedding light on how the thieves managed to abscond with highly prized national treasures. The ongoing construction at the Louvre as part of the government’s Nouvelle Renaissance project created vulnerabilities, particularly near the River Seine-facing section of the museum where the thieves exploited the chaos of the construction zone to their advantage.
Reportedly, four masked individuals infiltrated the museum through the construction site early in the morning and used an unattended cherry picker to reach a window on the first floor of the Apollo Gallery, where the valuable items were housed. Displaying tactics reminiscent of cinematic heists, two of the thieves utilized a battery-powered disc cutter to break through the glass panes, highlighting deficiencies in the museum’s security measures according to the Confederation of Fire Protection Associations Europe.
Despite a localized alarm being in place, it was found to be malfunctioning, raising questions about its effectiveness. The absence of comprehensive CCTV coverage in certain areas of the museum, including rooms adjacent to the heavily guarded Mona Lisa, created blind spots that the thieves exploited to avoid detection as they executed their plan.
Following the theft, the perpetrators attempted to set fire to their vehicle outside the Louvre but were thwarted by a vigilant museum staff member. However, they managed to escape on scooters before authorities could apprehend them. The incident marks a significant security breach at the Louvre, which has experienced multiple high-profile thefts in the past, underscoring the need for enhanced security protocols to safeguard its priceless treasures.