The head of the renowned Louvre museum has expressed willingness to step down following acknowledgment of a significant security lapse during the recent robbery. The incident, described as a “disastrous failure,” was facilitated by a misplacement of a crucial camera within the gallery.
The audacious heist, which saw thieves abscond with jewels valued at a staggering £76 million in a swift seven-minute operation on Sunday morning, has raised serious concerns. Experts have cast doubt on the likelihood of recovering the stolen treasures taken from Paris.
Criminals accessed the Apollo, the world’s most visited museum, by scaling its exterior and entering through a window. They swiftly seized items of historical significance, once owned by French royalty and colonial figures, by breaking glass containers using power tools.
The brazen theft, enabled by a series of critical security oversights, sparked national outrage. The museum’s director, Laurence des Cars, admitted to the failure, citing a misplaced surveillance camera as a key contributing factor to the breach.
French officials have initiated both administrative and police inquiries to ensure transparency, although no specifics regarding the robbery methodology have been disclosed. The culture minister emphasized that the museum’s security system functioned properly, despite the breach.
Following the forced entry into the Apollo Gallery, the museum’s alarm was triggered, prompting a swift police response. Investigators are diligently working to track down the culprits, with concerns mounting that the stolen jewels may never be recovered if not located within 48 hours.
Notably, a damaged emerald-set crown, once belonging to Empress Eugenie, was the sole item retrieved so far, dropped outside the museum by the fleeing gang. The criminals, disguised as construction workers, targeted a section undergoing renovation near the Seine River.
While efforts are underway to apprehend the perpetrators, authorities are reviewing CCTV footage and considering the possibility of foreign involvement. The experienced gang, which meticulously planned the heist, left behind a moped that was later discovered abandoned nearby.
French officials remain vigilant in the pursuit of justice, with the culture minister expressing solidarity with museum staff and law enforcement at the scene.