The British Museum in London has sacked a member of staff and police are investigating after treasures were reported “missing, stolen or damaged”.
Items including gold, jewellery and gems of semi-precious stones were among those found to be missing, stolen or damaged.
The majority of the items were kept in a storeroom, the museum said.
British Museum director Hartwig Fischer said the organisation had “brought an end to this”.
He added: “This is a highly unusual incident. I know I speak for all colleagues when I say that we take the safeguarding of all the items in our care extremely seriously.”
Legal action will be taken against the staff member who was fired, the museum added.
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