Antonello da Messina Masterpieces Vanish from Sicilian Museum; Two Panels Recovered

Four priceless paintings by the renowned 15th-century artist Antonello da Messina have been stolen from the Regional Museum of Messina (MuMe) in Sicily. The theft occurred on Saturday evening amidst a city-wide religious festival, a period of heightened activity that may have aided the thieves.

Authorities are investigating the sophisticated heist, which appears to have bypassed security systems without triggering alarms. While the thieves managed to remove all five panels of the 'San Gregorio Polyptych' from its frame, they abandoned two of the artworks behind a wall during their escape. The estimated value of the stolen pieces ranges from €70 million to €80 million, representing a significant loss to Italy's cultural heritage.