France: Louvre Museum closes after robbers flee with jewellery

The Louvre has closed for the day after a French minister reported a robbery at the iconic museum in Paris that is home to some of the world's most iconic historical artefacts, including the Mona Lisa. The museum is yet to comment on the incident, but reports and a lawmaker said that "priceless jewelry" was stolen from its collection.French Culture Minister Rachida Dati on Sunday reported a theft at the Louvre in Paris as the world-renowned museum said it was closing for the day.Paris police said one or more criminals had broken into the museum, but did not provide any details about the possible theft of artworks, according to AFP. A police source told AFP that an unknown number of thieves arrived at the Louvre on a scooter armed with small chainsaws and used a freight elevator to reach the room they were targeting. Visuals, which surfaced soon after the reported theft, showed visitors queuing to the museum exit, while a second video showed security personnel deployed outside the museum.

PANIQUE TOTALE au Musée du Louvre évacué d’urgence Braquage confirmé par Rachida Dati. pic.twitter.com/p2c1Eo5XjT

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The museum, officially known as Musée du Louvre, hosts around 5 lakh pieces of art, included the finest paintings from history. Some of the prized possession includes Mona Lisa, by Leonardo da Vinci, The Wedding Feast at Cana and The Virgin and Child with St. Anne. The Louvre museum is located at the heart of Paris and sees thousands of visitors from across the globe every day.
According to French daily, Le Parisien, the criminals entered the sprawling building from the facade facing the Seine River, where construction work is underway. They used a freight elevator "to gain direct access to the targeted room in the Apollo Gallery,” the paper reported. After breaking the windows, they reportedly stole "nine pieces from the jewellery collection of Napoleon and the Empress", said the report.