Thieves have stolen diamond jewellery worth millions of euros from a Dutch museum exhibiting tiaras and necklaces.
"We don't know the full value yet but it's in the millions. They took diamonds and jewellery on loan from other museums and private persons," said Mr Bob Crezee, deputy director of the Museon science museum in The Hague.
Mr Crezee said an unknown number of people had broken into the museum and snatched jewels from the display, which is about diamond cutting and jewellery making and includes several pieces of historical significance.
Mr Crezee declined to give any further details because some of the owners of the gems and artefacts had not yet been informed.
A museum spokesman said some of the jewellery on display were borrowed from European royal families but declined to give further details as it was not yet clear exactly what had been stolen.