The crown of French Empress Eugenie was crushed but nearly intact after thieves dropped it while fleeing a raid at the Louvre Museum last October, officials said. The thieves raided the museum on 19 October and stole jewels worth an estimated 88 million euros (£76m, $104m). The diamond-covered crown, belonging to Napoleon III's wife, was damaged when the thieves tried to remove it through a narrow hole they sawed into its glass case. Although one of its eight golden eagles is missing, the crown still holds 56 emeralds and nearly all of its 1,354 diamonds. Museum experts say the 19th Century crown can be fully restored to its original form without reconstruction. A special committee led by museum president Laurence des Cars will supervise the restoration. The raiders gained access through a balcony near the River Seine using a stolen mechanical lift. Two thieves broke in by cutting through a window with power tools. They threatened guards, who evacuated, and broke glass in two display cases holding jewels of French royalty. The thieves were inside for less than four minutes and escaped on scooters waiting outside. Police have arrested four men suspected as thieves, but the gang leader remains at large. Seven other stolen items, including a diamond-studded tiara and various necklaces and brooches, are still missing.