30 March - Four diamonds worth millions were stolen on Wednesday from the world's biggest watch and jewellery fair in the northern Swiss city of Basel, the local prosecutor's office said.

View of the entrance of the world watch and jewellery show 'Baselworld' in Basel, Switzerland, 24 March 2011. Baselworld opened it's doors from 24 to 31 March. Some 1,892 exhibitors from 45 countries showed their latest collections

"On Wednesday, 30 March 2011, at around 11.00 am, one of the as yet still unidentified perpetrators distracted an employee of a diamond trader in the exhibition hall 3.0, and stole four diamonds worth millions from the display window," said Markus Melzl, spokesman of Basel's prosecutor's office.

After the robbery was detected, the exhibition hall was closed for half an hour to prevent the thieves from escaping, but to no avail.

A view of Patek Philippe booth at the Omega booth at the world watch and jewellery show 'Baselworld' on the eve of its opening

"Apparently, the perpetrators successfully left the hall with the stolen goods," said Melzl in a statement.

Some 1,892 exhibitors from 45 countries, including luxury brands such as Chopard, Patek Philippe, and Rolex as well as jewellery makers like Bulgari and Tiffany, are showcasing their latest creations over 160,000 square metres at the Baselworld fair.