Tourists panicked and fled as a group of highly organized criminals carried out a robbery at the renowned Louvre museum in Paris, leading to its closure. The audacious thieves swiftly stole valuable jewelry items once owned by historical figures Napoleon and Josephine Bonaparte in a mere seven minutes. French authorities confirmed the daring heist occurred during the museum’s opening hours, with two men conducting the theft while another acted as a lookout.
The stolen items reportedly included a tiara, brooch, necklace, and more. The hooded men gained entry to the iconic building through construction work, utilizing a ladder to access a room within the Apollo Gallery. They cut through windows to enter the premises, with one person monitoring outside. French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez disclosed that the entire robbery transpired within seven minutes, with the perpetrators using a handheld disc cutter to breach the gallery window.
Witnesses observed individuals arriving on scooters, heavily disguised and equipped with chainsaws, who made off with nine pieces from the Napoleon collection. The suspects, believed to be three in number, exhibited a high level of organization in executing the crime. One of the stolen jewels, identified as the priceless crown of Empress Eugenie, was found damaged outside the museum.
The Louvre, a top tourist destination globally, announced its closure for the day due to exceptional circumstances arising from the incident. French Minister of Culture Rachida Dati reassured the public that no injuries occurred during the robbery and that law enforcement had initiated an investigation. Minister Nuñez emphasized the need to close the museum to preserve evidence for investigators, highlighting the vulnerabilities in French museum security.
Visitors recounted scenes of panic and chaos within the Louvre following the robbery. Reports described police attempting to secure the premises while visitors frantically sought exits. The stolen jewelry pieces, acquired by Napoleon and Josephine after being crowned Emperor and Empress of France in 1804, had historical significance and were collected from various sources, including royalty and across the Empire.