Dhaka, Oct. 21 -- The Louvre was closed for a second day Monday as police hunted for thieves who broke in and stole priceless jewels in a spectacular daylight robbery.

Officials said a team of 60 investigators was working on the theory that an organised crime group was behind the theft Sunday of nine pieces of jewellery, one of which - a crown covered in more than 1,000 diamonds - they dropped as they fled.

The thieves arrived at around 9:30 am (0730 GMT), shortly after the museum opened at 9:00 am, and completed the robbery in just seven minutes, sources and officials said.

They parked a truck with an extendable ladder like those used by movers below the museum's Apollo Gallery, home to an imperial jewel collection, clambering up and ...