The approximately US$50 million diamond heist at the Brussels airport on Monday when a Swiss aircraft was targeted by gunmen and robbed of rough and polished diamonds has sent shock waves through the diamond community.

Eight gunmen drove two black vehicles with flashing blue lights onto the tarmac to an awaiting passenger plane. They brandished machine guns and forced their way into the cargo hold to access the supply of diamonds awaiting shipment from Antwerp to Zurich.

“A diamond heist, no matter how big or small, is always a threat to our industry,” said Ernie Blom, President of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB). “Antwerp is a world hub for diamond traders and I trust that the Belgium authorities will do all in its power to prevent this kind of thing from ever happening again. Air transportation is a vital part of our industry and we need a secure and safe environment to conduct business in when it comes to transporting such valuable consignments. The WFDB pledges its support to the authorities and will make any resources at its disposal available to assist investigators and we trust that these criminals will be aprehended soon.”