Overview
- French authorities continue the manhunt for four masked suspects who used a lift truck and power tools to raid the Galerie d’Apollon in minutes before fleeing on high‑powered scooters.
- Investigators recovered a damaged crown of Empress Eugénie near the museum along with gloves, tools, a radio and a safety vest believed to be linked to the thieves.
- An unreleased Court of Audit review, cited by French media, says only about one third of exhibition rooms are covered by cameras and security upgrades have been repeatedly delayed.
- Culture Minister Rachida Dati defended the Louvre’s systems, while prosecutors examine whether alarms triggered on entry and a report suggests the targeted window’s alarm was flagged as defective a month earlier.
- Experts warn the stolen crown‑jewel pieces are virtually unsellable intact and may be dismantled, melted or recut, making full recovery unlikely.