The Louvre Museum in Paris is closed after a burgalry, key jewellery taken
The Louvre museum has been closed following a robbery, France’s culture minister has reported.
The official X account for the iconic Parisian museum broke the news with a post that explained, “The Musée du Louvre will remain closed today for exceptional reasons.”
Posting separately, the Culture Minister Rachida Dati said there had been a robbery. However, she also shared that no injuries had been reported. She added that she was on-site at the museum with police teams.
According to a French newspaper Le Parisien, as reported by Sky News, hooded figures entered the building from the River Seine side, where construction work is taking place. This information was taken from the police investigation’s preliminary findings. A third robber reportedly stayed outside.
Two intruders broke windows to gain entrance to the building and went to the Apollo Gallery. They escaped with nine pieces of jewellery from Napoleon and the Empress’s jewellery collection.
A necklace, a brooch, and a tiara were among the items taken from the Napoleon and French Sovereigns display cases.
The robbery reportedly took place shortly after opening time this morning, October 19th. Allegedly, the thieves were carrying small chainsaws as they carried out the burglary. They made a getaway on a motor scooter.
In immediate reaction to the robbery, art-lovers attempting to visit the museum shared reports of people stuck inside the building. One person wrote on X: “Just got to the Louvre and can see the security are locked inside! Everyone at the gates is being told that they cannot go in and that it is shut for today.”
The estimated value of the stolen jewellery is currently being tallied.
This incident is another in a long line of burglaries at the tourist attraction. In 1911, an Italian handyman who briefly worked at the museum stole the Mona Lisa. He was caught two years later while attempting to sell the world’s most recognisable art piece.
This is a developing news story.
