PARIS: The Louvre director faced intense questioning over security failures following a $102 million jewellery heist at the Paris museum.
Prosecutor Laure Beccuau confirmed the stolen royal jewels were valued at 88 million euros during Tuesday’s announcement.
She emphasised the greater loss was to France’s historical heritage rather than just the financial value.
Four individuals participated in Sunday’s seven-minute daylight robbery according to the prosecutor’s investigation.
Authorities are currently analysing fingerprints discovered at the crime scene for identification purposes.
Detectives are examining video footage from museum cameras and major highways for escape clues.
The thieves used scooters to flee after climbing a truck-mounted ladder to break into the museum.
Louvre director Laurence des Cars will appear before the Senate’s culture committee on Wednesday afternoon.
A French Court of Auditors report revealed only one-fourth of one wing had video surveillance coverage.
Des Cars had previously warned the culture minister about the museum’s worrying security obsolescence in January.
Thieves stole eight priceless pieces including Napoleon’s gift to his wife Empress Marie-Louise.
The museum defended its 2019-installed display cases as representing considerable security improvements.
This heist follows two other museum thefts in France during the previous month.
A 24-year-old Chinese woman was detained in Barcelona connected to the Natural History Museum gold theft.
Labour unions have complained about security staff cuts despite rising visitor numbers at the Louvre.
A union official stressed that physical surveillance remains essential for museum protection. – AFP
