PARIS: The Louvre Museum in Paris, one of the world’s most visited tourist attractions, has suffered a major theft, the French Ministry of Culture confirmed on Sunday via social media. The announcement of the theft followed an earlier notice that the museum would be closed for the day.
Initially, museum authorities announced the closure of the Louvre for “exceptional reasons.” The news of the heist was later confirmed by French Culture Minister Rachida Dati, who stated that the theft was discovered when the museum opened and that a full investigation is now underway. Nine items from the historic jewelry collection of Napoleon and the Empress were reported stolen.
According to reports from French media citing police and museum sources, the thieves reportedly gained entry through a section of the building currently under construction, facing the Seine River. They then used a freight elevator to reach the Apollo Gallery, where Napoleon’s jewelry was kept. After reaching the gallery, the culprits smashed the glass display cases before making their escape with the valuable objects.
Investigators are currently working to determine the full scope of the theft and identify the individuals involved. The Louvre, being one of the largest museums in the world, houses numerous invaluable artworks, including the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo.
