More drones spotted over Paris; officials seeking pilots

PARIS, March 4 (UPI) -- Authorities are searching for four men who may be connected to more drones that were spotted flying over Paris landmarks and high-security buildings early Wednesday.

Police received reports of up to 12 drones spotted over areas that include the Palace of Versailles, the Eiffel Tower and the gates of Bagnolet, Charenton and Vincennes. Witnesses saw four men fleeing the Porte de Vincennes area with one of the drones.

In the past months, drones that have been spotted over highly secure areas, including the U.S. Embassy and a nuclear power plant, have left authorities scrambling. The country is already on high alert since the Charlie Hebdo shooting that left 17 dead in January. Flying an unmanned aircraft in France is illegal.

Earlier this week, an Al-Jazeera reporter was fined for flying drones over the French capital last month. Tristan Redman, 34, and two other journalists were caught flying the crafts. Redman pleaded guilty. The two other reporters were released.