Paris: French authorities investigating the network linked to late American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have identified around 10 previously unknown suspected victims, according to Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau.

Speaking on Sunday, Beccuau said nearly 20 suspected victims had contacted investigators after French authorities publicly appealed for potential victims to come forward earlier this year.

While some individuals were already known to investigators, she said several others had not previously been identified in the ongoing inquiry.

"But we also had new victims come forward, ones we didn't know at all. There are around ten of them," she told.

French investigation began after release of Epstein files

France launched a human trafficking investigation after the United States Department of Justice released another batch of documents connected to Epstein in January.

French magistrates are examining whether offences linked to Epstein's network were committed in France or involved French individuals who may have facilitated his crimes.

Epstein died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial in the United States on charges related to trafficking underage girls for sexual exploitation.

Investigators interviewing victims in France and abroad

Beccuau said investigators were currently prioritising interviews with alleged victims as part of the inquiry.

"The choice we've made for the time being is to listen to these victims," she said.

She added that several alleged victims are based outside France, prompting investigators to coordinate meetings according to their travel availability in Paris.

Authorities are also reviewing material contained in the so-called Epstein files to identify any names mentioned by alleged victims.

"We have also got back out Mr Epstein's computer, his telephone records, his address books," the prosecutor said.