Thieves steal 600-diamond necklace from Vienna museum in broad daylight

Two suspects stole a necklace adorned with over 600 diamonds from the Vienna Museum of Applied Arts (MAK) on Thursday afternoon. The men reportedly purchased tickets for the Van Cleef & Arpels exhibition, smashed a glass display case, and took the platinum and diamond necklace, valued at over $4 million. Police believe one of the perpetrators may have been carrying a firearm. The suspects fled towards Vienna Stadtpark, and authorities have released security camera images, appealing for public assistance in their international manhunt. The stolen necklace, weighing over 200 carats, was previously worn by Queen Nazli in 1939.

Two suspects are being sought by Austrian police after stealing a 200-carat platinum necklace, formerly belonging to Queen Nazli of Egypt, from Vienna's Museum of Applied Arts (MAK). The theft occurred during opening hours on Thursday afternoon when the unmasked men shattered a display case with a hammer and fled with the jewelry. The necklace, encrusted with 673 diamonds and dating from 1939, was on loan as part of an exhibition featuring works by Van Cleef & Arpels. Investigators believe the theft may have been a "contract job" for a criminal gang. This incident follows a recent increase in high-profile smash-and-grab thefts from European cultural institutions.