Paris: The director of Paris' Louvre Museum late Wednesday announced her resignation after the crown jewels, valued at pound 88 million (around $102.2 million), were stolen from the famed Apollo Gallery in a spectacular burglary. "After assessing . the consequences of the terrible attack we had just suffered, I submitted my resignation to the Minister of Culture, in keeping with my responsibility," Laurence des Cars said during her statement at the Senate.

According to Anadolu Agency, des Cars accepted her "share of responsibility" in the "terrible failure" and acknowledged that the museum did not detect the thieves' arrival "early enough." She pointed out that the weaknesses of the museum's perimeter protection were already known and identified, citing a "very insufficient video network" and a "major issue with the security posts."

Des Cars further noted that the Empress Eugenie's crown, which was dropped and "quite damaged" during the escape, can undergo a "delicate restoration" process. The heist, which lasted no more than seven minutes, was executed by four criminals who used a stolen freight elevator to access the gallery's window on Sunday.

Investigators discovered that the same elevator had been carjacked nine days earlier in the town of Louvres (Val-d'Oise) after suspects posed as potential buyers responding to an online advertisement. During their rushed escape, the thieves abandoned items including a scooter helmet, blowtorch, walkie-talkie, yellow vest, blanket, and a can of gasoline, all of which are now being analyzed by forensic experts.

The Louvre, which had initially planned a partial reopening on Monday, remained closed until Wednesday. The thieves stole "eight objects of priceless heritage value," according to the Culture Ministry, but dropped Empress Eugenie's crown, which was damaged during their escape.