The infamous Arbeit Macht Frei sign at the entrance to the Auschwitz Nazi death camp in Poland has been stolen. The wrought iron sign, whose words mean "Work Sets You Free", was unscrewed and pulled down from its position above the gate in the early hours this morning. Polish authorities denounced the theft, while Israel's Holocaust museum branded it an "act of war". More than a million people, 90% of them Jews, were murdered by the Nazis at Auschwitz during World War II. Investigators say at least 2 people would have been needed to steal the 16ft, 90lb sign. The theft occurred between 3:30 and 5:00am, local time, this morning. Polish ex-President Lech Walesa described the theft as "unthinkable", while Poland's chief rabbi said he could not imagine who would do such a thing. Warsaw police are interviewing security guards and viewing closed circuit television footage. It is not clear why it was stolen but museum officials say the widely recognised sign would be difficult to sell. It is the 1st time the sign, made by Polish prisoners, has been stole since it was erected in 1940.
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