The head of the renowned Louvre museum has offered to step down following the recent robbery, acknowledging it as a grave security lapse due to a mispositioned camera. The audacious heist on Sunday morning, where thieves stole jewels valued at £76 million in just seven minutes, has raised concerns about the chances of recovering the stolen items.
Criminals managed to breach the Apollo gallery, the world’s most visited museum, by climbing the exterior and breaking in through a window. They swiftly grabbed valuables once owned by French royalty and colonial leaders, smashing display cases and using power tools.
The theft exposed significant security flaws that led to national outrage, prompting the museum’s director, Laurence des Cars, to consider resignation. She admitted to shortcomings in monitoring the area where the break-in occurred, expressing regret for failing to detect the thieves promptly.
French Culture Minister Rachida Dati assured transparency through an administrative inquiry alongside the police investigation. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez disclosed that the museum’s alarm was activated when the gallery’s window was forced open, with police responding within minutes of being alerted.
Despite the Louvre’s reputation for stringent security, the masked thieves successfully infiltrated the heavily guarded premises. Experts believe that if the stolen jewels are not located within 48 hours, recovery becomes highly unlikely. Speculation points to an organized crime group orchestrating the heist, heightening concerns of a delayed recovery effort.
Art Recovery International’s CEO, Chris Marinello, emphasized the time-sensitive nature of the situation, warning that failure to apprehend the thieves promptly might result in permanent loss of the stolen pieces. The only item recovered, an emerald-set imperial crown dropped by the robbers, was found damaged outside the museum.
The culprits disguised as construction workers exploited ongoing renovation works near the Seine River, evading suspicion as they targeted a specific wing of the Louvre. Efforts to swiftly identify and capture the perpetrators are underway, with authorities scrutinizing CCTV footage and exploring the possibility of international involvement in the crime.
The experienced gang’s premeditated operation involved reconnaissance of the site and the subsequent abandonment of a moped used in the heist. Minister Dati pledged support to the museum staff and law enforcement on-site during the investigation.