Daring Louvre Heist: Jewel Thieves Escape with Treasures

Thieves executed a daylight heist at Paris's Louvre museum, making off with royal jewels valued at 88 million euros. Utilizing a crane, they broke in through a window, escaping on motorbikes. The theft of historic items, including a tiara, underscores significant cultural loss despite economic damage.

In a brazen daylight heist at the renowned Louvre museum in Paris, thieves made off with jewels estimated to be worth 88 million euros, Paris public prosecutor Laure Beccuau confirmed on Tuesday.

The incident at the famed cultural institution has been labeled by some politicians as a national embarrassment, as four individuals managed to break into the museum using a crane to smash a window and reach a gallery housing royal jewels.

The stolen items, significant pieces of history, include a tiara and earrings from the collection of Queen Marie-Amélie and Queen Hortense. Although some escaped successfully, the crown of Empress Eugenie was found discarded outside the museum.

(With inputs from agencies.)