Security measures failed in preventing a major jewellery heist in the Louvre museum in Paris, creating a negative image of the country, according to French justice minister Gérald Darmanin.
People were able to park a furniture hoist in the middle of Paris, get people up it in several minutes to grab priceless jewels and give France a terrible image, Darmanin stated.
On Sunday, thieves armed with power tools broke into the globe's most-visited museum in broad daylight, stealing eight items deemed of inestimable value before escaping on scooters. The stolen items included a diamond and emerald necklace originally given to Empress Marie Louise by Napoleon, which is now feared to be broken apart and smuggled.
Darmanin remains confident that police will catch the thieves soon, but Chris Marinello, head of Art Recovery International, warned that the jewels would most likely disappear within 24 to 48 hours unless there is a quick arrest.
The robbery took place just after the museum opened, as four masked thieves utilized a truck with a mechanical lift to gain access to the Galerie d'Apollon. Within minutes, they threatened guards, smashed display cases, and took off with their loot.
The robbery, which lasted just seven minutes, has raised serious questions about the Louvre's security protocols, as alarms were activated following the theft, alerting security forces. Staff prevented the thieves from igniting their escape vehicle.
The items stolen are historically significant, including a tiara belonging to Empress Eugénie, which features nearly 2,000 diamonds, and Marie-Amelie’s necklace, adorned with sapphires and diamonds. Officials have called the theft a severe blow to France's reputation.
