Paris' Louvre Museum closed after robbers steal jewellery

Armed robbers brandishing chainsaws broke into the Louvre Museum in Paris on Sunday morning and escaped with a collection of jewellery, according to media reports.

The world’s most visited museum had to shut its doors for the rest of the day following the incident.

The robbery occurred between 9:30 and 9:40 a.m. (0730–0740 GMT). The value of the stolen items is still being assessed.

The reports said that the robbers arrived on a scooter, carrying small chainsaws, and accessed the targeted room using a service lift inside the building.

France’s Culture Minister Rachida Dati confirmed the break-in earlier on Sunday.

“A robbery took place this morning at the opening of the Louvre Museum. No injuries reported. I am on site with museum staff and police,” he wrote on X.

The Louvre Museum, in a brief statement on X, announced that it would remain closed for the day “for exceptional reasons.”