Dutch city celebrates as stolen masterpieces return home

The Dutch city of Hoorn erupted with joy on Friday as it welcomed back five masterpieces recovered from a criminal gang in Ukraine after being snatched from the town's museum in 2005.

"After 4,320 days ... yes we counted the days ... they are back!" an emotional museum director Ad Geerdink told hundreds of citizens who gathered at the Westfries Museum as the 17th- and 18th-century paintings were unloaded from a truck.

"Our heritage has returned to the museum where they belong, back in the city where they belong," Geerdink said as the crowd cheered and clapped.