The Brazilian media Globo has broadcast a video, collected by Brazilian tourist Aline Lemos Ferreira, that captures the moment in which they were heard strong knocks on the windows of the Apollo Galleryat the Louvre Museum in Paris, shortly before thieves broke into the place and stole the precious 19th century jewels.
Ferreira was filming the entrance to the room and the ceiling when the noise caught her attention and caused her to stop recording. The images were obtained exclusively by the Brazilian media Globo.
“I was very close to the window at that moment, when a very loud banging noise started. At that moment, the room employee had already alerted everyone to run away. The museum had just opened, so there was almost no one in that room yet,” the Brazilian told Globo.
It was the first time that the tourist had visited the museum and she had bought the ticket for the first opening time, at 9 in the morning. Only half an hour later the robbery took place.
According to French authorities, the theft lasted seven minutes and involved at least four suspects, who took eight pieces.
Four “experienced” hooded men, according to the French Interior Minister, broke into the Apollo Gallery of the Parisian museum and took eight pieces of jewelry.
However, they have left behind ‘The Regent’, the ‘crown jewel’ of the collection. It is a spectacular 140-carat diamond with an estimated value of 50 million euros and unique characteristics that make it an impossible piece to sell on the black market.
The Louvre is the most visited museum in the world and houses the Mona Lisa, masterpiece of the Italian genius Leonardo da Vinci. In total, the museum has 33,000 works, including antiques, sculptures and paintings.