UPDATE: A shocking daylight heist at the Louvre Museum has resulted in the theft of jewels valued at an astounding €88 million ($A157 million). In a dramatic revelation, museum director Laurence des Cars confirmed that critical gaps in the CCTV coverage allowed the thieves to escape undetected.
The audacious robbery occurred on Sunday morning, shortly after the Louvre had opened its doors to visitors. Thieves used a crane to smash a second-floor window and made off with priceless jewels before fleeing on motorbikes. This incident has ignited outrage among officials and the public alike, as it raises serious questions about security measures at one of the world’s most famous museums.
Des Cars detailed the security failures during a Senate committee meeting, stating, “We did not detect the thieves’ arrival early enough.” She highlighted that insufficient cameras outside the museum and a lack of monitoring for the window breached by the assailants contributed to the security lapse. The director had previously warned about the dire state of the museum’s security, saying, “The warnings I had been sounding came horribly true last Sunday.”
Despite the growing backlash, Culture Minister Rachida Dati refused Des Cars’ resignation offer, acknowledging the gravity of the situation. “Despite our efforts, despite our hard work every day, we were defeated,” Des Cars lamented, underscoring the failure to protect the museum’s treasures.
This brazen act has triggered an urgent assessment of security protocols at museums across France, with at least four other museums reporting similar incidents in recent months. In a related case, a Chinese-born woman has been charged in connection with the theft of six gold nuggets worth about €1.5 million from the Museum of Natural History in Paris last month. She was apprehended in Barcelona while attempting to sell melted gold.
In response to the heist, Des Cars pledged to implement immediate measures, including establishing no-parking zones around the Louvre and upgrading the CCTV network. She also called on the interior ministry to consider setting up a police station within the museum to enhance security.
This incident has left many questioning how such a significant breach could occur at a site that attracts millions of tourists each year. As Paris continues to be a hub for cultural institutions like the Orsay Museum and Pompidou Center, the implications of this robbery extend beyond the Louvre, prompting urgent discussions on the safety of cultural heritage.
As the investigation unfolds, the Louvre and French officials face mounting pressure to restore public confidence in the security of their most treasured sites. The world watches closely as authorities work to prevent future incidents and safeguard invaluable artifacts.
