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Sources Xinhua
PARIS, October 19 -The Louvre Museum in Paris was temporarily closed to the public on Sunday after a daring robbery in which several valuable pieces of jewelry were stolen, French authorities confirmed. No injuries were reported.
According to preliminary reports, masked intruders entered the museum through an area under renovation, used a freight elevator to access a restricted section, and smashed windows to reach their target. French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, who visited the scene, described the stolen artifacts as “of inestimable heritage value.”
A specialized police unit has secured the site and launched a technical investigation. The Louvre, in coordination with the Ministry of Culture, is preparing a detailed inventory of the stolen pieces. Local media said that three or four suspects made off with nine items from the Napoleonic jewelry collection, while a damaged crown from the same collection was found near the museum.
Culture Minister Rachida Dati told TF1 television that organized crime networks are increasingly targeting museums and cultural institutions, warning that “artworks have become prime targets for sophisticated criminal groups.”
Authorities have appealed to the public for any information that could lead to the suspects’ arrest. The Louvre Museum has not yet announced when it will reopen to visitors.
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