On February 18, 2013, a meticulously planned heist at Brussels Airport resulted in the theft of US$50 million (approximately AUD 80 million) worth of diamonds. The robbers executed their daring operation with military precision as the gems were being transferred from a plane to an armoured security van.
Disguised in dark police uniforms and hoods, the robbers drove two black vehicles equipped with flashing blue lights through a hole they had cut in the airport’s perimeter fence. They swiftly approached the aircraft, brandished machine guns, and within a mere five minutes, they had loaded the diamonds into their cars and made their escape. The speed and efficiency of the operation left authorities stunned, marking it as one of the most audacious airport heists in history.