PARIS — French police have evacuated the area around the Eiffel Tower after a man was seen climbing the Paris landmark hours before the Olympics closing ceremony Sunday.
The shirtless man was seen scaling the 330-meter (1,083-foot) tall tower in the afternoon. It’s unclear where he began his ascent, but he was spotted just above the Olympic rings adorning the second section of the monument, just above the first viewing deck.
Police escorted visitors away from the area around 3 p.m. Some visitors who were briefly locked on the second floor were allowed to exit around 30 minutes later.
The Eiffel Tower was a centerpiece of the opening ceremony, with Celine Dion serenading the city from one of its viewing areas. The Tower is not expected to be part of the closing ceremony, which was set to begin at Stade de France in the northern suburb of Saint-Denis at 9 p.m.
The incident occurred as the Olympic competition winds down and security services in Paris and beyond are shifting their focus to the closing ceremony that will bring the curtain down on the Games.
More than 30,000 police officers have been deployed around Paris on Sunday. France’s Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said about 3,000 police officers will be mobilized around the Stade de France, and 20,000 police troops and other security personnel in Paris and the Saint-Denis area will be mobilized late into Sunday night to ensure safety on the last day of the Olympics.
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AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games
In a bizarre turn of events, an unidentified individual was spotted scaling the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, causing panic and chaos among tourists and officials. The incident occurred just hours before the scheduled closing ceremony, prompting the immediate evacuation of the area.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing the individual, described as a young man in his 20s, climbing the structure with apparent ease and agility. Despite efforts from security personnel to apprehend him, the daredevil managed to evade capture and continued his ascent.
The decision to evacuate the area was made out of an abundance of caution, as authorities were unsure of the individual’s intentions or potential threat to public safety. Tourists and onlookers were ushered away from the vicinity of the tower, while emergency services and specialized rescue teams were called in to deal with the situation.
The incident caused a stir among locals and tourists alike, with many expressing shock and disbelief at the audacity of the individual’s actions. Social media was abuzz with speculation and concern, as images and videos of the climber circulated online.
As night fell, the climber reached the summit of the Eiffel Tower, where he was finally apprehended by authorities. It was revealed that he was a thrill-seeker seeking to challenge himself and push the limits of his abilities. While his actions were reckless and dangerous, no harm was done, and he was taken into custody for questioning.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of security measures and vigilance in public spaces, especially in high-profile landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower. It also highlights the need for authorities to be prepared for unexpected events and to respond swiftly and decisively in order to ensure the safety of all individuals involved.
Despite the disruption caused by the climber’s actions, the closing ceremony of the Eiffel Tower proceeded as planned, with officials reassuring the public that the situation was under control. The incident will no doubt be remembered as a bizarre and daring feat, but ultimately a reminder of the need for caution and vigilance in today’s world.
