Thieves were seen carrying out a brazen daylight robbery at the Louvre Museum in Paris, sending tourists fleeing for safety.

The museum’s precious targets included crown jewels collection. This gang disguised in construction gear and used a hoist or lift to reach the window facade.

Sources shared how they entered the museum’s Galerie d’Apollon and in just four to seven minutes smashed display cases and made off with eight to nine historic jewelry pieces that included diadems, necklaces, and earrings that were once owned by French royalty and members of the Napoleonic imperial family.

One of the stolen items, Empress Eugenie’s crown, was soon found outside the museum in damaged condition. So far, no injuries were reported to the police.

France’s culture minister confirmed the theft and helped oversee the response. The Louvre was reportedly closed for the day and remained closed the next day.

This was done by authorities to secure the scene, preserve all types of evidence, and also enable investigative teams to intervene. French authorities and political leaders described the matter as a major failure in terms of security, raising serious eyebrows about the location’s protection of France’s cultural history and heritage.