A sacred “Coral Mazu” statue in Taiwan has been stripped of its gold and coral jewellery during a temple theft, with losses estimated at over S$1.26 million.
According to ETToday, the burglary took place in the early hours of Wednesday (5 Nov) at Jin’an Temple in Nanfang’ao, Yilan, leaving devotees heartbroken over what temple officials described as both a financial and spiritual tragedy.
Surveillance footage shared on Facebook shows the suspect, dressed in black clothing and a face mask, entering the temple around midnight.
Source: 林承憲 on Facebook
The burglar allegedly broke through a third-floor air vent to gain access, then headed straight to the second-floor main hall.
There, he climbed over the railing and carefully removed the deity’s valuable adornments.
The stolen items include:
Temple authorities estimate the loss at over NT$10 million (S$422,000), while devotees fear the total value could exceed NT$30 million (S$1,200,000).
The intruder reportedly remained inside the temple for about 50 minutes.
As he attempted to flee, he apparently triggered the security alarm, prompting him to escape through the second-floor back door.
Source: 林承憲 on Facebook
Police have since identified the suspect, who allegedly fled by taxi along the Beiyi Highway toward northern Taiwan.
A full-scale manhunt is currently underway.
Beyond the monetary value, temple officials expressed sorrow over the spiritual desecration.
Each coral bead, they said, “bears witness to the devotion and incense of countless faithful over the years”.
The Gemstone Coral Mazu has been enshrined for 16 years, blessing fishermen and believers across Taiwan and abroad.
The temple described the theft as not only an act of sacrilege against the deity but also a grave insult to the collective faith of the people.
Also read: Man in M’sia steals 12 statues from Chinese temple & tosses them into the sea
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Featured image adapted from 林承憲 on Facebook.