Police in Vienna are hunting two suspects after a historic diamond necklace was stolen from the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK) during opening hours. The 200-carat platinum piece, which is encrusted with 673 precious stones, is valued at approximately $4 million.
The necklace originally belonged to Egypt's Queen Nazli and was designed for the Egyptian royal family. At the time of the theft, the piece was on loan to the museum as part of an exhibition featuring designs by Van Cleef and Arpels.
Authorities have released security camera images of the suspects as the manhunt continues. The heist comes amid a rash of spectacular smash-and-grab thefts from European cultural institutions and is poised to refocus attention on museum security protocols.