£32million worth of diamonds snatched in daring Brussels airport heist

Armed robbers snatched the diamonds as they were being loaded into the plane at Brussels airport.

10:46 21 February 2013

£32million worth of diamonds were snatched by 8 gang members in three minutes; it could be considered one of the biggest diamond heists in history. 

As the plane was waiting to take off, eight highly professional thieves showed up at Brussels airport disguised as policemen. Armed with machine guns, they broke through a security fence using two cars with blue flashing lights. Once inside, they snatched a sealed container where diamonds were kept.

 

Based on reports, they sped away unchallenged.   

 

The passengers of the plane were unaware of the drama until they were informed later on that their flight was delayed. The thieves’ efficiency made authorities think that it could have been an inside job.

 

The diamonds were transported from Antwerp and they were uncut. For this reason, the chances of recovering them is said to be very low. 

 

Brussels airport spokesman Jan Van Der Cruijsse said that the heist was worrying. He said: “It does seem very worrying that someone can actually have the time to drive two vehicles on to the airport, effect the robbery, and drive out without being intercepted.”