Christie’s £670m art auctions hit by cyber attack

Auction house Christie’s attempts to sell art and other high-value items worth an estimated $840m (£670m) are being hampered by a cyber attack.

Lots ranging from a Vincent van Gogh painting, valued at $35m, to rare wine are going under the hammer in its spring auctions.

Would-be buyers are unable to view them on its website because it has been taken offline.

The sale of a collection of rare watches – including some owned by Formula 1 star, Michael Schumacher – has been delayed.

Christie’s told the BBC it had been targeted in a “technology security incident.”

But it said bids could still be placed over the phone and in-person, as normal.

“Christie’s has in place well-established protocols and practices, which are regularly tested, to manage such incidents,” it said in a statement.

It has also set up an alternative website, external where basic information about the items due to be sold can be seen.