According to information provided by the French television channel France 2, surveillance footage shows that the Louvre guards witnessed the robbery but did not attempt to stop the criminals. The recordings show several staff members in black running out of the hall after one of the robbers entered the museum through a window. Soon, a second criminal joined him, wearing a motorcycle helmet and armed with an angle grinder.
The criminals immediately headed for the display cases with jewelry, ignoring all other exhibits. At this time, some guards returned to the gallery. One of them, grabbing a barricade post, attempted twice to approach the robbers and intervene, but each time he retreated, unable to take action. The criminals continued their activities, paying no attention to them.
It is worth noting that Louvre staff are not allowed to carry weapons, as their duties do not fall under the internal security law.
Earlier, the TF1 channel also broadcast footage of the robbery, showing one of the robbers breaking open a display case with special equipment, then smashing it with his hands and extracting the jewelry. After that, he joined his accomplice, who was also dealing with another display case, and both fled with the stolen goods.
On October 19, the criminals managed to break into the Louvre and steal nine pieces of jewelry, including tiaras, earrings, necklaces, and brooches belonging to French queens and empresses. One of the stolen items was the damaged crown of Empress Eugenie de Montijo, which was later found and returned to the museum. The total damage from the robbery is estimated at 88 million euros, and several suspects have been detained, five of whom have already been charged.
The Louvre, which opened its doors in 1793 and previously served as a royal residence, continues to be the most visited museum in the world.
