Photo: AFP
The Louvre Museum has reopened to the public days after $102 million jewelry heist that sparked disbelief, criticism, and memes on social media.
According to NBC News, police are still searching for four thieves who stole at least eight priceless jewels, including some of France's crown treasures, in a daylight theft that took just minutes.
The museum reopened to the public on Wednesday (October 22), but the Apollo Room, where the heist occurred, remains closed as the investigation continues. French prosecutors estimate the value of the stolen pieces at €88 million, or $102 million, not including their historical and cultural significance.
“We can perhaps hope they won’t destroy these jewels without rhyme or reason,” Paris Prosecutor Laure Beccuau said in a statement.
During a meeting with the French Senate's Culture Committee, Louvre Director Laurence des Cars admitted the museum had security “weaknesses” and urgently requested upgrades and a permanent police presence. Culture Minister Rachida Dati called the theft “a wound for all of us”, but insisted the Louvre's security system functioned properly.
“Did the Louvre Museum’s security measures fail? No, they didn’t. It’s a fact,” she said.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said the break-in represented a major failure but noted the alarm system worked and police arrived within three minutes of the breach.
See how social media users reacted to the heist below.
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