In brief
The Louvre Museum in Paris faced significant damage due to a water leak affecting between 300-400 works, primarily books. While no precious artifacts were harmed, the incident has raised alarm following recent jewel thefts and structural issues. The museum plans to restore the damaged volumes, which include important Egyptology documents from the 19th and 20th centuries.
A water leak at the Louvre museum in Paris has damaged hundreds of works, just weeks after thieves stole priceless French crown jewels from the museum in broad daylight.
The museum's deputy administrator, Francis Steinbock, said between 300-400 works, mostly books, were affected by the leak - and that the count was ongoing.
Mr. Steinbock told French media the damage occurred in the Egyptian department and that the volumes are those consulted by Egyptologists, but that no precious books were affected.
The issue that caused the leak, which was discovered in late November, had been known for years, and repairs are scheduled for next year, Mr. Steinbock added.
The volumes will be dried, sent to a bookbinder, and restored before being returned to the shelves.
Mr. Steinbock described the books as Egyptology journals and scientific documentation from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
He added: At this stage, we have no irreparable and definitive losses in these collections.
The leak is the third major issue faced by the museum - which is the most visited in the world - in as many months. In November, structural weaknesses prompted the partial closure of one of the galleries hosting Greek vases and offices, and on 19 October, four burglars made off with jewels worth €88m (£76m; $102m), exposing glaring security gaps.
A report by France's public audit body criticized the museum's excessive spending on artwork, suggesting it was to the detriment of the maintenance and renovation of buildings.
