Works by Antonello da Messina, stolen from the museum in Messina

On Saturday night, thieves stole four works of art attributed to the Renaissance painter Antonello da Messina from the regional museum MuMe in Messina, during the festivities of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. They managed to bypass the security systems and left with three panels from the San Gregorio Polyptych, dated 1473, and with a panel depicting the Virgin Mary and the dead Christ. Art expert Alberto Fiz estimated the total value of the stolen works at 70-80 million euros.

The museum director, Marisa Mercurio, stated that the theft represents a huge loss for the community and cultural heritage. The main cultural official in Messina, Enzo Caruso, described the theft as a disaster, emphasizing the importance of these works for the region's identity. Analyst Lynda Albertson mentioned that selling the stolen works will be extremely difficult due to their immediate recognition. The museum has been closed for investigation, and the theft occurred during the Ferragosto holiday, a time of great congestion in the city.