French authorities have arrested six suspects near Lyon following a daring robbery at a precious metals refinery in which thieves used explosives to steal an estimated €12 million worth of gold.
According to police, the incident unfolded early Thursday morning at Pourquery Laboratories, a refinery specialising in gold and other precious materials. The thieves used explosives to break through the facility’s security barriers before making off with the loot in a white van.
Footage posted on social media by local residents captured the chaos. In one video, two men were seen placing a ladder over the company’s fence, while another clip showed a masked individual wielding a weapon and loading briefcases into the vehicle.
A nearby resident told AFP she was startled by the blast. “It was really impressive — the whole building shook,” she said. Five refinery employees sustained minor injuries in the explosion, though all are reported to be in stable condition.
Authorities launched an immediate pursuit, and within hours, the suspects were apprehended following a chase through the Rhône region. Among those detained was a woman, and police said they recovered the full haul of stolen gold along with assault rifles and explosives believed to have been used in the robbery.
The Lyon incident has intensified national concern over a string of high-profile thefts across France. It follows another major heist in Paris earlier this month, where robbers targeted the Louvre Museum.
On October 19, four suspects gained access to the Louvre’s Gallery of Apollo using a mechanical lift in broad daylight. They smashed open display cases containing crown jewels with a disc cutter, escaping with valuables worth around €88 million.
French police have since arrested five additional suspects linked to that theft, bringing the total to seven. Investigators believe three of those detained were directly involved in the heist, while a fourth suspect remains at large.
Authorities have not yet confirmed whether there is any connection between the two robberies, but both incidents have drawn widespread attention for their precision and bold execution.
Officials praised the quick response of Lyon’s gendarmerie units for recovering the stolen goods so swiftly. “The professionalism and speed of our teams prevented the loss of significant national assets,” a police spokesperson said.
As investigations continue, both cases underscore growing concerns about organised criminal networks targeting France’s cultural and industrial treasures.
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