"Robbed by the 'Chainsaw Gang' in Minutes"... The Louvre's Great Humiliation [World Photo]

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'Is this a movie?'... France was thrown into chaos.

The world's largest museum, the Louvre, was robbed.

It was the largest theft since the 'Mona Lisa' was stolen 114 years ago.

The incident occurred in just about 7 minutes and is likely to be recorded as one of the most painful wounds in the history of the Louvre.

After many twists and turns, two of the suspects were arrested within 6 days, but the whereabouts of the remaining accomplices and stolen items remain unknown.

"This incident is the boldest crime among museum thefts that have occurred in recent decades... The world's best security system was breached in just 4 minutes" - ARTnews, American art magazine -

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The 'Chainsaw Robbery Gang' in just 7 minutes

Is this real... "The Louvre was robbed"

On the 19th, under police control of access, a ladder truck used by treasure thieves was placed on the outer wall facing the Seine River at the Louvre Museum in Paris, France. /AFP Yonhap News

Reuters Yonhap News

AFP, AP, Reuters, Yonhap News Agency

On the morning of October 19, 2025 (local time), a major incident occurred at the Louvre Museum, the world’s largest tourist attraction in Paris, France. On this Sunday, just over 30 minutes after opening, a group of four assailants stole eight pieces of jewelry, including the 'Diamond Crown of Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III.'

According to the Associated Press and the Paris prosecutor’s office, the perpetrators entered the museum using a ladder and stole artifacts from the ‘Apollo Gallery,’ where French royal jewelry is on display. The entire theft took only about 6 to 7 minutes. They used a power cutter and fled the scene on electric scooters.

◀ On the 23rd, French daily Le Parisien reported a 36-second video circulating on social media. The footage shows two men dressed in black descending from the Louvre Museum by ladder truck after the crime. One of the two was wearing a yellow fluorescent vest, while the other, wearing a motorcycle helmet, calmly rode down on the lift of the ladder truck. Le Parisien commented, "The shocking thing is how calm the two suspects appeared," and reported that after reaching the ground, they tried to set the vehicle on fire but failed.

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Incredible Jewels Gone Missing…

Meanwhile, the crown was dropped and shattered

The crown of Empress Eug?nie de Montijo, wife of Napoleon III, displayed in the Apollo Gallery of the Louvre Museum. / Photo by AFP Yonhap News

The Apollo Gallery (left), admired by tourists, and footage obtained and released by French broadcaster BFMTV show a man wearing fluorescent work clothes touching the security glass in the Louvre Apollo exhibition room while working. At first glance, it looks like a routine artifact inspection by museum staff, but this was a planned criminal act. /AFP Yonhap News, Youtube 'BFMTV'

The Apollo Gallery (left), admired by tourists, is shown in a video obtained and released by the French broadcaster BFMTV, capturing a man wearing fluorescent work clothes touching the security glass in the Louvre Apollo exhibition room while working. At first glance, it appears to be a routine artifact inspection by museum staff, but this was a planned criminal act. /AFP Yonhap News Agency, Youtube 'BFMTV' Photo by AFP

Emerald and diamond necklace gifted by Napoleon I to his wife Empress Marie Louise, stolen by assailants (left), and jewelry sets of Queen Marie Amelie and Queen Hortense. /AFP Yonhap News

Empress Eugenie's crown (left), eight stolen jewels. /AFP Yonhap News Agency, Interpol

The crown of Empress Eug?nie (left), eight stolen jewels. /AFP Yonhap News, Interpol

The stolen jewels included an emerald and diamond necklace gifted by Napoleon I to his wife Empress Marie Louise, a brooch belonging to Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III, and an 18th-century sapphire necklace associated with Queen Marie Amelie and Queen Hortense, totaling eight items. The perpetrators initially stole nine pieces, but during their escape, they dropped Empress Eugenie’s crown, which was later found broken. The crown was adorned with 1,354 diamonds and 56 emeralds.

On October 21, Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau appeared on French broadcaster RTL and stated that the estimated damage from the jewels stolen from the Louvre’s Apollo Gallery that day amounted to 88 million euros (approximately 100 billion won). This figure was assessed by the Louvre based on market value. Prosecutor Beccuau added, "This amount is nothing compared to the historical loss." She also warned the perpetrators, "If you foolishly try to dismantle or melt down the jewels, you will never get that amount."

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Did the Mona Lisa tremble, having already been stolen 114 years ago…

They left the 'Cursed Diamond' untouched

AP Yonhap News

As the vulnerability of security at the world’s largest museum, the Louvre, was exposed, concerns have arisen about the risk of the iconic ‘Mona Lisa’ being stolen. The Mona Lisa, which was stolen and recovered in 1911, is the most specially protected piece in the Louvre’s collection. The Apollo Gallery, where this incident occurred, is only about 250 meters away from the Mona Lisa exhibition room, which draws the largest crowds of visitors.

French authorities also noted that the perpetrators did not steal the ‘Regent Diamond,’ the most valuable treasure in the Apollo Gallery. This 140-carat diamond, which became part of the French royal collection in the 18th century and was later set in Napoleon I’s sword after passing through Marie Antoinette, is the gallery’s most famous exhibit. The diamond is nicknamed the ‘Cursed Diamond’ because its owners have met tragic fates, such as execution or downfall. There is speculation that the thieves may have been wary of this ‘curse.’

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"Lax security and a terrible failure"... The Louvre’s great humiliation

A current affairs inquiry was held at the French Senate three days after the incident (left). Laurence Des Cars, Director of the Louvre Museum, appeared at the current affairs inquiry held at the French Senate on the afternoon of the 22nd (local time). /AP Yonhap News Agency

On October 22, French daily Le Monde reported, "Louvre Museum Director Laurence des Cars appeared at a current affairs inquiry at the Senate in the afternoon and requested a review of the possibility of establishing a police station within the museum." That day, Director des Cars stated, "The museum's alarm system functioned normally at the time of the incident," and "The four staff members on duty in the Apollo Gallery promptly and accurately followed security protocols, notified the police, secured the scene, and calmly evacuated visitors." However, she also admitted, "We failed to detect the intruders in advance," and bowed her head, saying, "I take responsibility for this terrible failure."

TASS Yonhap News Agency

AP Yonhap News

"Accelerate the strengthening of security measures at the Louvre Museum."
- President Emmanuel Macron -

"This tragic incident is a reminder that the protection of national heritage cannot depend on a system weakened by budget cuts and staff shortages."
- Louvre Museum Union -

"It is highly likely that the jewels have already been taken out of the country... they are as good as lost forever."
"The possibility of recovery is 'nonexistent'... the jewels are likely to be broken up and used as a means of money laundering."
- Senator Nathalie Goulet, French Senate Centrist -

On the 25th, two suspects were arrested. One was apprehended at the airport while preparing to board a flight to Algeria, and the other was reportedly on his way to Mali in Africa.

Both male suspects are in their 30s and have prior theft convictions. Authorities suspect they committed the crime under someone's instructions.

Authorities are investigating the circumstances of the crime with these suspects and are tracking down the remaining accomplices.