Two suspects have been arrested over the theft of precious crown jewels from Paris's Louvre museum, French media report.
The Paris prosecutor's office stated one of the men was apprehended as he was preparing to board a flight from Charles de Gaulle Airport.
Items worth €88 million (approximately £76 million; $102 million) were taken from the world's most-visited museum last Sunday when four thieves armed with power tools broke in during daylight hours.
France's justice minister acknowledged that security protocols 'failed', tarnishing the state's image.
The prosecutor’s office confirmed the arrests occurred Saturday evening, although they did not specify how many people were detained.
Reports indicate that one suspect was heading to Algeria while another was en route to Mali. Police sources mention that specialist forces can hold and interrogate suspects for up to 96 hours.
DNA evidence from the crime scene has reportedly led to one suspect's identification, with the gang leaving various belongings behind, including gloves and a high-visibility jacket. Additionally, a crown belonging to Empress Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III, was among the items taken.
The prosecutor also criticized the 'premature disclosure' regarding the theft, suggesting it compromised ongoing recovery efforts.
During the incident, the thieves allegedly gained access to the Louvre via a balcony close to the River Seine using a vehicle-mounted lift, entering the Galerie d'Apollon by cutting through a window.
Security assessments revealed that a significant number of rooms in the vicinity of the museum lacked CCTV coverage, with police stating the thieves were within the museum for only four minutes before escaping on scooters.
The museum’s director disclosed to French senators that critical exterior surveillance was inadequately positioned, hindering timely detection of the perpetrators.
In response to the theft, security measures will be enhanced across national cultural sites, and the Louvre will now store its most valuable jewels in the Bank of France's secure vault, located 26 meters underground.
