Napoleon and his Empress's jewels stolen from Paris's Louvre Museum. This heist in the Apollo Gallery was completed in seven minutes. The museum was closed, security was tightened, and police began their investigation.
World News: A major theft occurred on Sunday at the Louvre, the world's most famous museum located in Paris. The theft took place from the Apollo Gallery, involving valuable jewels belonging to Napoleon and his Empress. This heist was completed in just seven minutes, after which the museum was closed indefinitely. France's Culture Minister, Rachida Dati, stated that no one was injured, and museum staff and police promptly arrived at the scene.
How the Thieves Carried Out the Heist
According to police sources, the thieves used a scooter and a small chainsaw to carry out the crime. They used the museum's elevator to reach the Apollo Gallery and infiltrated the room by breaking windows. Allegedly, nine jewels were involved in the theft. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez confirmed that the value of the stolen jewels could be in the millions, but a complete estimation is still being determined.
Louvre Museum Security
The Louvre is the world's most visited museum, with approximately 30,000 people daily. The museum houses over 33,000 artworks, including sculptures, paintings, and antiquities. The Apollo Gallery, where the theft occurred, housed the collection of French royal jewels. Security arrangements at the Louvre Museum have been a topic of discussion previously, but such a rapid theft has raised concerns.
Major Thefts in History
This is not the first major theft at the Louvre Museum. The most famous theft occurred in 1911 when Leonardo da Vinci's painting, the Mona Lisa, was stolen. This theft was carried out by a former employee, and the painting was recovered two years later. Additionally, in 1983, two Renaissance-era armors were stolen, which were found in 2021. Now, the theft of Napoleon's jewels has added another dark chapter to the museum's history.
Tightened Security Outside the Museum
Following the theft, barricades were erected outside the Louvre Museum, and people waiting for the museum to open were kept outside. Traffic was controlled in the surrounding area. A team of French police and public prosecutors is conducting a thorough investigation into this incident.
