French authorities are trying to identify remote-control pilots who flew drones over central Paris on Monday on and Tuesday night.
At least five of the small, remotely controlled aircraft were spotted between 11pm on Tuesday and 2am yesterday. They have this week overflown the Eiffel Tower, National Assembly, Place de la Concorde, Invalides and entry points to the city.
The motives of the drone operators are unknown. They could be enthusiasts testing new toys, available in Paris shops for a few hundred euro, criminals on reconnaissance missions, or activists eager to taunt authorities or highlight the dangers of unmanned aircraft.
No theory is excluded, but police say they do not believe the drone flights indicate terrorist activity. Security officials are exploring the possibility of shooting down the drones.
