New Delhi:
In a shocking incident, ‘Field’s Medal’ - the most prestigious award in the world of mathematics and is even regarded as the 'Nobel for Mathematics' - was stolen from a Cambridge professor just half an hour within he was awarded the prize in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Caucher Birkar was awarded the ‘Field’s medal’ at the International Congress of Mathematics which is also regarded as top prize in the field of maths.
According to reports, Birkar had kept the medal in a suitcase along with his wallet and phone. However, the whole suitcase was stolen.
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The event’s security squad found the case under a bench soon after it was stolen, but the highly prized medal was missing.
The thief has been identified from CCTV footage, a leading Brazilian daily reported.
“The organizing committee of the International Congress of Mathematics profoundly regrets the disappearance of the briefcase of mathematician Cauchar Birkar, which contained the Fields medal he received at this morning’s ceremony,” they said. “Images recorded at the event are being analysed. The organising committee is cooperating with local police authorities in their investigation,” Organisers said in a statement.
Wednesday’s theft was not the first problematic incident the event has faced. On Sunday, a fire broke out at the venue after a sky lantern landed on the pavilion hosting it, causing the team to evacuate immediately.
