Following concerns of a potential bomb threat, the Eiffel Tower underwent a temporary evacuation on Saturday, as confirmed by France BFMTV, a CNN affiliate.
This evacuation encompassed all three levels of the tower, including the courtyard, as authorities assessed the nature of the perceived threat, BFMTV reported.
Without delay, an expansive security perimeter was established, resulting in rerouted traffic. Additionally, BFMTV stated that a team specializing in explosive ordnance disposal was present on-site to assess the credibility of the threat.
A spokesperson from SETE, the operational entity responsible for the Eiffel Tower, conveyed, “While such situations are rare, it’s a standard protocol,” as reported by BFMTV.
Subsequently, the Eiffel Tower has been reopened to the public.
Each year, nearly seven million individuals visit this iconic tourist destination in Paris.
The monument’s security infrastructure comprises a police station situated at the base of its southern pillar, comprehensive video surveillance throughout its premises, and mandatory security checks for all visitors prior to entering.
While evacuations are not commonplace, they have been witnessed before. In 2019, the monument underwent an evacuation and was temporarily closed when an individual was observed scaling its structure.