标签： Europe

In a shocking revelation, Laurence des Cars, the director of the Louvre Museum, has admitted that the institution’s security systems were inadequate to prevent the theft of French crown jewels valued at €88 million (£76 million). Speaking publicly for the first time since the heist on Sunday, des Cars addressed French senators, highlighting the museum’s aging and insufficient CCTV infrastructure. The only camera monitoring the exterior wall where the thieves entered was misaligned, failing to capture the first-floor balcony that led to the Gallery of Apollo, where the jewels were housed. ‘We failed these jewels,’ des Cars lamented, emphasizing that even the Louvre was not immune to ‘brutal criminals.’

The heist, carried out by a gang of four in less than 10 minutes last Sunday morning, saw the thieves make off with eight priceless pieces of jewelry, including a diamond and emerald necklace gifted by Emperor Napoleon to his wife. During their escape, they dropped a 19th-century diamond-studded crown belonging to Empress Eugenie, which was later recovered but damaged. Des Cars noted that the crown had likely been crushed as the thieves forcibly removed it from its display case. While initial assessments suggest a delicate restoration is possible, the incident has exposed significant vulnerabilities in the museum’s security.

The thieves used a truck equipped with a mechanical ladder to access the first-floor gallery at 09:30 (07:30 GMT), just half an hour after the museum opened. Des Cars praised the security guards for their swift evacuation of the building but conceded that the museum’s perimeter protection was weak and outdated. The Louvre reopened on Wednesday, though the Gallery of Apollo remains closed.

Des Cars, who became director in 2021, revealed that she had been warning about the museum’s deteriorating infrastructure and cuts to surveillance and security staff over the past decade. She expressed her intention to double the number of CCTV cameras and begin security upgrades in early 2026, though the aging infrastructure of the former royal palace poses significant challenges. Following the heist, des Cars tendered her resignation to the culture ministry but was refused. ‘I am wounded as chair and director that the warnings I was raising, as a whistle-blower, have come to pass,’ she said, taking full responsibility for the museum’s failure.

Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez expressed confidence that the thieves would be apprehended, with prosecutors theorizing that the robbery was orchestrated by a criminal organization. The incident has raised questions about the security of one of the world’s most renowned cultural institutions, home to priceless works such as Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly has strongly denounced the violent incidents that erupted in Dublin on Tuesday night, emphasizing that such acts were deliberate attempts to intimidate individuals within the Citywest building. Commissioner Kelly clarified that peaceful protests should never involve aggression or attacks on law enforcement officers. The disturbances, which escalated into clashes with police, have raised concerns about public safety and the integrity of lawful demonstrations. Authorities are now investigating the incident to identify and hold accountable those responsible for the violence. The Commissioner reiterated the importance of maintaining order and ensuring that protests remain non-violent, in line with democratic principles.

In a powerful testament to the resilience of press freedom, two journalists imprisoned for their unwavering commitment to truth and justice have been awarded the European Parliament’s prestigious Sakharov Prize. Andrzej Poczobut of Belarus and Mzia Amaghlobeli of Georgia were recognized for their courage in the face of oppressive regimes, despite facing severe personal and professional consequences.

The Louvre Museum in Paris resumed operations on Wednesday, just three days after a brazen daylight robbery saw millions of euros worth of jewelry stolen from its premises. The incident, which has captivated global attention, has surprisingly added an unexpected layer of intrigue for visitors. ‘The heist made it more exciting to go to the Louvre,’ remarked one tourist, reflecting a sentiment shared by many who flocked to the iconic museum upon its reopening. The theft, executed with remarkable audacity, has not only heightened public interest but also raised questions about security measures at one of the world’s most renowned cultural institutions. Despite the breach, the Louvre’s reopening signals a return to normalcy, with officials emphasizing enhanced security protocols to prevent future incidents. The event has sparked conversations about the intersection of art, security, and public fascination, as the museum continues to draw crowds eager to witness its treasures firsthand.

In a brazen daylight heist that has stunned the world, thieves made off with crown jewels valued at 88 million euros ($102 million) from the Louvre Museum in Paris. The audacious robbery unfolded in less than eight minutes on Sunday morning, October 19, leaving authorities and the public in disbelief. The thieves, posing as renovation workers, used a stolen basket lift to scale the museum’s facade, forced open a window, and smashed display cases to seize the priceless treasures. They spent less than four minutes inside the museum before fleeing on scooters, leaving behind equipment and a yellow construction jacket. The stolen items included eight historically significant objects, though the emerald-set imperial crown of Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III, was later found outside the museum. French officials revealed that the thieves had stolen the basket lift on October 10, using threats to obtain it from a company in Louvres, a town coincidentally named similarly to the museum. The Louvre, the world’s most visited museum, reopened on October 22 as investigators, including forensics experts, analyzed surveillance footage and collected evidence from the scene. Culture Minister Rachida Dati confirmed the robbery on social media, praising security officers for preventing the thieves from setting the truck on fire. The incident has raised questions about the museum’s security measures and the audacity of the criminals involved.