GENEVA

A pre-report by the French Court of Audit on Monday reportedly revealed major gaps in the Louvre Museum's security system, a day after four people stole eight jewels of "inestimable heritage value" from the Galerie d'Apollon.

According to the pre-report, partially accessed by Franceinfo, the museum faces “considerable” and “persistent” delays in upgrading its security systems. In the Denon Wing, where both the Galerie d'Apollon and the Mona Lisa are located, one-third of the rooms reportedly lack surveillance cameras.

The report also found that in the Richelieu Wing, three-quarters of the rooms have no video monitoring.

Despite an annual operating budget of €323 million (over $376M), the auditors said there was "a lack of willingness" from the museum's management to address these deficiencies, noting that "the amounts committed are small compared to estimated needs" and that security investments have become a "budget adjustment variable."

Paris Prosecutor Laure Beccuau said the suspects used a mechanical ladder to reach a first-floor window, which they forced open. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said the stolen jewels possess "inestimable heritage value."