Egyptian queen’s 673-diamond necklace stolen in Vienna smash-and-grab raid

A valuable platinum necklace, adorned with 673 diamonds and weighing 200 carats, was snatched from a museum in Vienna, Austria. This historic piece once belonged to Egyptian royalty and was on temporary loan to the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK). The theft occurred during the museum's opening hours, making it a bold "smash-and-grab" operation.

Austrian police are actively searching for two male suspects believed to be responsible for the heist. Security cameras at the museum captured images of the individuals during the incident, and these pictures have been released to the public in an effort to aid the investigation. The necklace is not only valuable due to its materials but also because of its unique connection to history and Egyptian queens.

This incident is part of a growing number of similar thefts targeting cultural institutions across Europe. Thieves are increasingly employing quick, forceful methods to steal precious artifacts and jewelry from museums and galleries. Authorities are working to recover the necklace and bring the perpetrators to justice, highlighting the ongoing challenge of protecting valuable cultural heritage from sophisticated criminal networks.