Featured Image Credit: John Harper/Getty
Topics: World News, Crime, Police, France
Lucy Devine
The Louvre in Paris has closed after a robbery that's been dubbed one of the most dramatic break-ins of the museum in history.
In a post on social media, the museum confirmed that 'the Musée du Louvre will remain closed today for exceptional reasons'. Meanwhile, France's Culture Minister, Rachida Dati, confirmed there had been a robbery, explaining in a statement: "I am on site alongside the museum teams and the police. Investigations under way."
The Louvre is the world's most visited museum and houses some of the planet's most treasured artwork, jewelery, and archaeological finds, including Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, and the ‘Venus de Milo’ statue.
According to French daily newspaper Le Parisien, hooded criminals entered the building from the side closest to the River Seine, where there is construction work taking place.
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It's thought that one thief was keeping watch outside while the other two entered the building.
While no injuries have been reported at the scene, the BBC reports that the criminals had chainsaws and broke windows to gain entry, before vanishing on scooters.
Videos on social media show tourists being evacuated from the museum, which usually has around 8.7 million visitors per year.
Early reports indicate that a necklace, a brooch and a tiara were among the items taken from the Napoleon and French Sovereigns display cases.
Police sources told Le Parisien: "After breaking windows, two men entered, stealing nine pieces from Napoleon and the Empress's jewelry collection – a necklace, a brooch, and more."
The BBC reports that nine items have been taken, all believed to be from the Apollo Gallery.
The value of the items has not been confirmed.
The incident is reported to have taken place within the space of seven minutes, French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez told radio station France Inter on Sunday morning.
One of the items, a crown which belonged to Empress Eugénie, was reportedly found damaged outside the museum after having supposedly been dropped during the heist.
Forbes reports that the most valuable item in the gallery, the 140-carat Regent diamond, is safe and has not been taken.
The Parisian Public Prosecutor's Office has confirmed it has opened an investigation into suspected 'organised theft and criminal conspiracy to commit a crime'.
They also confirmed there had been a 'theft of jewellery' at the Louvre and that the 'damage is currently being assessed' as the investigation proceeds, which they also said would be supported by a service which focuses on the illegal trafficking of cultural goods.
The Louvre has been broken into before, with a heist in 1911 seeing the Mona Lisa taken by a former employee who had worked at the museum.
Vincenzo Peruggia hid in a cupboard overnight before escaping down a stairwell with the painting.
It remained missing for two years before police eventually apprehended Peruggia.