Louvre Forced to Shut Gallery Amid Structural Safety Fears
The world-renowned Louvre Museum in Paris has taken the drastic step of closing one of its key galleries to the public after engineers identified alarming structural weaknesses. This precautionary closure comes as a fresh blow to the institution, which is still recovering from a multi-million-pound jewel heist that rocked its security just weeks ago.
Urgent Investigation into Floor Beams
Museum officials confirmed that the Campana Gallery, home to a prized collection of Greek ceramics, will remain shut indefinitely. The decision was made after concerns were raised about certain beams supporting the floors of the gallery. A team of structural engineers has now launched an urgent investigation to assess the full extent of the problem and determine the necessary repairs.
This unexpected closure presents a significant challenge for the world's most visited museum, which is housed within a historic former medieval palace. The Louvre was already in the advanced stages of preparing for a major programme of ambitious renovations, announced earlier this year, aimed at modernising the vast complex.
A Double Blow for the World-Famous Museum
The structural issues compound an already difficult period for the Louvre. In October, the museum fell victim to a daring heist where crown jewels valued at over $100 million (£76 million) were stolen. The brazen theft raised serious questions about security protocols at the iconic venue.
Now, with the added complication of a structural weakness forcing a gallery closure, the museum's management faces a dual crisis of ensuring both the safety of its visitors and the security of its priceless collections. The timing is particularly unfortunate as the museum navigates its large-scale renovation plans.
This is a developing story, and further updates on the engineers' findings and the expected duration of the gallery's closure are anticipated in the coming days.
