Treasures worth up to billion of euros stolen from Historical Museum in East Germany

Treasures worth up to billion of euros stolen from Historical Museum in East Germany

Several items of antique jewelry with a combined value estimated at nearly a billion euros have been stolen from the Green Vault, a historic museum in Dresden, Germany that contains the largest collection of treasures in Europe, Bild newspaper reported.

The museum was raided by a group of thieves early this morning, the paper reported. Reports indicate that the burglars shut off the power supply to the museum, before breaking in. Dozens of police vehicles have arrived at the scene in the centre of Dresden.

The police have confirmed that a burglary took place at the museum but did not specify what was stolen or what damage was incurred. Deutsche Welle reported. The thieves are on the run.

The ‘Green Vault’ holds the largest collection of treasures in Europe and was founded by Prince Elector Frederick Augustus I, in 1723. It exhibits a vast collection of precious stones from the Baroque to the Classical eras.

The treasures also include a 63.8cm (25-inch) figure of a Moor studded with emeralds and a 648-carat sapphire - a royal gift from Russia's Tsar Peter the Great.

One of its most famous and precious treasures, the Dresden Green Diamond, is currently on loan with other valuable pieces to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York for an exhibit.

The 41-carat green diamond was acquired by Augustus III, the son of Augustus the Strong, in 1742, according to the museum.

Police said it was too early to estimate the value of the items stolen but planned to provide further information over the course of the day.