BRUSSELS (AP) — Eight masked gunmen made a hole in a security fence at Brussels' international airport, drove onto the tarmac and snatched some $50 million worth of diamonds from the hold of a Swiss-bound plane without firing a shot, authorities said Tuesday.

The gang used two black cars in their daring raid late Monday, grabbed the cache of stones and sped off into the darkness, said Anja Bijnens, spokeswoman for the Brussels prosecutor's office.

"They tried to pass themselves off as police officers," Bijnens said. They reportedly wore outfits which resembled dark police clothing and both cars had blue lights on top, she said.

Police found one burnt-out vehicle close to the airport later Monday night and said they were still looking for clues.

The heist was estimated at some $50 million in diamonds, said Caroline De Wolf of the Antwerp World Diamond Centre.

"What we are talking about is obviously a gigantic sum," De Wolf said.

An airport spokesman said the robbers made a hole in the perimeter fence and drove up to the Swiss passenger plane, which was ready to leave. The robbers got out of the car, flashed machine guns at pilots and security transport workers before taking the loot from the hold, which was accessed from outside.

Without firing a shot they drove off through the same hole in the fence, completing the spectacular theft within barely five minutes, Bijnens said.

Airport spokesman Jan Van Der Cruijsse could not explain how the area could be so vulnerable to theft. "We abide by the most stringent rules," he said.

The Swiss flight, bound for Zurich and operated by Helvetic Airways, was canceled. Swiss, an affiliate of Germany's Deutsche Lufthansa AG, declined to comment on the heist, citing the ongoing judicial investigation.

The insurance for air transport — handled sometimes by airlines themselves or external insurance companies — is usually relatively cheap because it's considered to be the safest way of transporting small high value items, logistics experts say.

Unlike a car or a truck, an airplane cannot be waylaid by robbers once it's on its way, and it is considered to be very safe before the departure and after the plane's arrival because the aircraft is always within the confines of an airport — which are normally highly secured.

Philip Baum, an aviation security consultant in Britain, said the robbery was worrying — not because the fence was breached, but because the response did not appear to have been immediate. That, he said, raised questions as to whether alarms were ringing in the right places.

"It does seem very worrying that someone can actually have the time to drive two vehicles onto the airport, effect the robbery, and drive out without being intercepted," Baum said.

That amount of time would also allow someone to board the plane, he said.

A decade ago the Belgian city of Antwerp, the world capital of diamond-cutting, was the scene of what was probably one of the biggest diamond heists in history, when robbers took precious stones, jewels, gold and securities from the high-security vaults at Antwerp's Diamond Center, yielding loot that police in 2003 estimated to be worth about $100 million.

Antwerp's Diamond Center stands in the heart of the high-surveillance diamond district where police and dozens of cameras work around the clock, and security has been beefed up further since the spectacular 2003 robbery.

http://news.yahoo.com/multimillion-dollar-diamond-heist-brussels-105956646.html

Security: "We abide by the the most stringent rules." This type of statement makes my days.

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Executive Armed Robber.

[size=14pt] Shoot! I Thought I Made It!?
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Excuse My "Stupidity" I'm Just Expressing My "Daily Five Minutes Of Madness" As Suggested By My Psychiatrist Friend In The U.K

The Italian Job, sorry the Belgian Job.

Did I just smell foul play?

I hope they're on top of the matter as soon as possible. Diamond theft happens around the world, maybe it's their turn. The committees that have been setup should....

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Wow expect d Nollywood version of this event featuring Reharbed Hanks Anoku(Tb joshuas rehabilitatee), Gentle jack, and Emeka ike. Title yet to be figured out...

there will always be an insider.

Dis space is for sale ; ;DD

Sophisticated robbers....no be naija gragra

Blood diamond from Africa. . . .lmao

I guess the scammer got scammed .good for them !

Somebody arrest Jason Statham Quick!

You see that security breaches can happen any where even in the heart of Europe. Where thiS to be in Nigeria, everyone, eSpecially here will take it out poor GEJ and his family. Let us appreciate and respect what God has given to us at the moment and prepare for 2015 if we have better alternatives.

All African diamonds, perhaps being taking to Zurich(a hub for African's stolen wealth)for DRC's Kabila or the old dictator in Angola. Gangs connected to Palemo Mafia might have a hand in it. Europol agents will pin-down the culprits, it will only take some time.

all for common diamond that we have abundant in Africa

What?wish i was one of.............

Hmmm! "Something in my mind..." On my way to CBN

Talk about Oceans 2013!!!

Scarpon: all for common diamond that we have abundant in Africa

Dude, diamonds are not common, a gem could fetch millions in hard currency. A well managed diamond wealth could develop a country. Go to Namibia and see how important diamonds are to a country and its people.

dvdon: Wow expect d Nollywood version of this event featuring Reharbed Hanks Anoku(Tb joshuas rehabilitatee), Gentle jack, and Emeka ike. Title yet to be figured out...

Stolen Treasure! Stolen Treasure!!

Hey! Make una come see where Hanks Anuku and eem thief friends use danfo jam airport fence sake of say dem wan thief diamonds!

Stolen Treasure!!!

(Hanks Anuku's voice): "we gonna break into the vault and steal the gems..."

Stolen Treasure!!!

(Emeka Ike's voice): "I'm giving it a thought 'cos my sister came from the village this afternoon to inform me my Father is critically ill..."

Stolen Treasure!!!

(Gentle Jack's voice): "Guys nothing dey happen! We go move the diamonds and fall any living soul wey wan stop us!!)

Stolen Treasure!!! Produced by Amaco Investments and na Ossy Affason dey market am! 123 Ebinpejo lane, Idumota, 53 Iweka Road Onitsha and 1/3 Pounds Road Aba

Stolen Treasure!!!

Grab your copy now

An inside job.

ItsModella: Woah

Who has watched Takers? The movie has turned into reality.

Also add the italian job, the town... Jst tinkn des 3movies thru out my read

Scarpon: all for common diamond that we have abundant in Africa

smh. If it so abundant, why arent u swimming in them? If diamonds were so common why do people die while hustling to acquire them?

Watch out for the movie from Hollywood, yo! "The Belgian Job"