Louvre Director Questioned After $102 Million Royal Jewels Heist in Paris

The Louvre Museum in Paris suffered a daring daylight robbery in which thieves stole royal jewels valued at over $100 million, including pieces linked to Napoleon and French royalty. The heist, which lasted only seven minutes, involved four suspects who reportedly used a truck-mounted ladder to enter the Apollo Gallery and escaped on scooters, dropping a diamond-studded crown during their flight. French investigators are analyzing fingerprints, DNA, and surveillance footage while considering the possibility of an inside job or organized crime involvement. The museum's director, Laurence des Cars, has been summoned to testify before the French Senate Culture Committee to address serious security lapses, as internal audits revealed inadequate video surveillance and alarm systems in key areas. The theft has sparked public and political outcry over the museum's security shortcomings, with authorities emphasizing the irreplaceable cultural loss beyond the monetary value. The Louvre is set to reopen after a brief closure for investigation, even as the search for the culprits continues.