Thieves strike Louvre Museum: Nine jewels from 'Napoleon and the Empress' collection stolen; crown with 1,354 diamonds and 56 emeralds dropped and damaged

PARIS: Jewels worth millions from the Napoleonic era have been stolen from the world-famous Louvre Museum in France. The museum has been temporarily closed following the theft. The Louvre is a museum that houses extremely important historical objects, including the Mona Lisa painting. National media reported that around nine jewels were stolen from the 'Napoleon and the Empress' collection kept in the Apollo Gallery here.

There are also reports that a stolen jewel was later found outside the museum, seemingly dropped during the getaway. French media outlets reported that the 'dropped' piece had been broken, and it is a 19th-century crown belonging to Empress Eugenie. This crown features golden eagles and is covered in 1,354 diamonds and 56 emeralds.

French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said thieves used a hydraulic ladder to break into the museum and steal priceless jewels. The theft took place between 9:30 and 9:40 a.m. local time (07:30–07:40 GMT). The thieves entered the Apollo Gallery through a construction site on the Seine-facing facade of the Louvre Museum. The French Crown Jewels were on display there at the time. The thieves used disk cutters to break in through the windows. The theft took about seven minutes.

The Paris prosecutor's office has opened an investigation into the incident. The damage is currently being assessed, French Culture Minister Rachida Dati said. She added that no one was injured and that she was at the scene with museum staff and police.

Currently, barricades have been erected in front of the museum, prohibiting entry. There are also restrictions on traffic on the surrounding roads. The Louvre is the most visited museum in the world. About 30,000 visitors come here a day. It houses 33,000 antique objects, including sculptures and paintings.

The museum has witnessed several thefts and attempted robberies. In 1911, Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa was stolen from the museum. Former employee Vincenzo Peruggia smuggled the painting out by hiding it in his coat. It was recovered two years later in Florence, Italy.