Water leak in Louvre damages hundreds of books

The leak in the Egyptian department comes just weeks after a jewellery heist that put the museum's security infrastructure under scrutiny.

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The museum's deputy administrator, Francis Steinbock, said between 300-400 works, mostly books, were affected by the leak - and that the count was ongoing.

Mr Steinbock told French media the damage occurred in the Egyptian department and that the volumes are "those consulted by Egyptologists", but that "no precious books" were affected.

The problem that caused the leak, which was discovered in late November, had been known for years, and repairs are scheduled for next year, Mr Steinbock added.

The volumes will be dried, sent to a bookbinder and restored before being returned to the shelves.