October 20, 2025 | 12:39 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - In just four minutes, four robbers entered the Louvre Museum, stole jewelry once worn by the queens of France using power tools and a winch lift, and successfully fled on Sunday, as reported by NBC News.
According to Al Jazeera, the perpetrators used a winch lift to enter the window of the Galerie d'Apollon (Apollo Gallery), then used power tools to break display cases, taking eight jewelry pieces from the Napoleonic era, and fled on a motorcycle.
The museum is currently closed for investigation. Forensic teams, police, and staff are involved in the process.
French authorities are hunting down the four thieves for their daring robbery at the Louvre Museum on Sunday, resulting in the loss of eight valuable and historic jewels, said Paris prosecutor general.
The four men are the "strike team" that robbed the Apollo Gallery in the Louvre Museum, which contained the crown jewels of France. They wore masks to hide their faces and used high-powered scooters to escape, revealed prosecutor Laure Beccuau to BFMTV, as reported by Al Arabiya.
The 4-Minute Heist
On Sunday at 9:30 local time, the perpetrators entered the Louvre Museum and stole eight jewels from the Apollo Gallery, which are "priceless in terms of value and cultural heritage," according to Anthony Amore, an art theft expert and co-author of the book Stealing Rembrandts: The Untold Stories of Notorious Art Heists.
The return of these items will be difficult.
According to the CEO of 77 Diamonds, "the likelihood is that these gems will reappear smaller; professional crews often divide and recut easily recognizable large stones to avoid detection, thus removing their authenticity."
The objects that might be "forever lost" consist of:
- Tiara from the jewelry set of Queen Marie-Amelie and Queen Hortense
- Necklace from the same pair's sapphire jewelry set
- One earring from the sapphire jewelry set
- Emerald necklace from Marie-Louise's set
- A pair of emerald earrings from Marie-Louise's set
- A brooch known as the "relic" brooch
- Empress Eugenie's tiara
- Another large brooch from Empress Eugenie
According to a witness, the perpetrators "rode a motorcycle near the location, then climbed the winch, smashed the window, and entered within 30 seconds."
French Culture Minister Rachida Dati said, "authorities arrived a few minutes after we were informed of this robbery. Honestly, the operation lasted almost four minutes, it happened very quickly."
According to Arab News, daytime robberies in public hours are rare. Doing so inside the Louvre Museum with visitors inside the building makes it one of the boldest robberies in Europe in modern history, at least since the case of the Green Vault Museum in Dresden in 2019.
Symptoms of an Ongoing Issue
The success of this robbery is also influenced by the condition of the Louvre Museum, which has difficulty due to a lack of staff and too many visitors. In June, Louvre staff staged a walk-out due to overcrowding and staff shortages.
Museum workers' union said that tourism "leaves too many eyes in too many rooms" resulting in vulnerable points without supervision.
Although security around major works remains tight, such as the Mona Lisa painting stored behind bulletproof glass, this theft shows that protection for a museum with 33,000 objects is still not tight enough. This becomes a new controversy for a museum that has been facing employment issues.
Editor's Choice: Louvre Museum Closes as Workers Protest Overtourism, Visitors Left Stranded
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Madagascar President Leaves Country After Mass Protests
5 hari lalu
Andry Rajoelina has left Madagascar after losing support in the armed forces and following weeks of youth-led protests. He reportedly left Sunday.
Macron Reappoints Sebastien Lecornu as France's Prime Minister
9 hari lalu
Sebastien Lecornu returned to his post as French prime minister four days after resigning.
France's Macron Must Appoint New PM in 48 Hours as Political Crisis Escalates
10 hari lalu
Sebastien Lecornu's resignation forces President Emmanuel Macron to choose a replacement within 48 hours, averting a political crisis in France.
France: Macron to Name New French PM After Lecornu Resigns
11 hari lalu
France's President Emmanuel Macron will announce a new prime minister in the next 48 hours, according to a statement from the Elysee palace
One 'Bjorka' Down, but Expert Warns More 'Bjorkas' Still Lurk Online
11 hari lalu
There are likely many other "Bjorkas" still active online. These individuals may operate independently or collaborate without knowing each other.
French PM Sebastien Lecornu Resigns Amid Backlash Over New Cabinet
13 hari lalu
On Monday, October 6, 2025, French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu submitted his resignation to President Emmanuel Macron.
India Strengthens Maritime Security Network in the Indian Ocean Region
14 hari lalu
At the IMAC and IFC-IOR headquarters, the Indian Navy underscored India's commitment to ensuring safety across Indian Ocean region.
World Leaders Welcome Hamas' Response to Trump's Gaza Peace Plan
15 hari lalu
World leaders and the United Nations Secretary-General have welcomed Hamas' positive response to President Trump's peace proposal for Gaza.
Bandung Hosts French Gastronomy Festival Through October 13
17 hari lalu
The French Gastronomy Festival, known as Le Got de France (The Taste of France), is offering more than just a culinary event.
South Africa's Ambassador to France Found Dead in Paris
19 hari lalu
Ambassador Nkosinathi Emmanuel "Nathi" Mthethwa's body was discovered outside a Paris hotel. His death is being treated as a possible suicide.
