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Eiffel Tower evacuated after climber spotted scaling monument

The Eiffel Tower was evacuated on Monday afternoon after a person was spotted climbing up the Paris landmark, the company that operates the structure said.

Published: 20 May 2019 17:06 CEST
Eiffel Tower evacuated after climber spotted scaling monument
Photo: AFP
“A climber has been spotted. It's the standard procedure: We have to stop the person, and in that case we evacuate the tower,” an SETE official told AFP, adding that police were on the scene.
 
The tower’s twitter account announced that “the Eiffel Tower is currently closed until further notice. We kindly advise our visitors to postpone their visit.”
 
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The esplanade underneath the monument was also evacuated.
   
“We kindly advise our visitors to postpone their visit,” the SETE added on Twitter.
   
Police have made contact with the climber but do not yet know why he began his ascent via the iron beams, a police source told AFP.
   
In October 2017 the tower was also evacuated after a young man ventured out on one of the beams and threatened to commit suicide, before police were able 
to convince him to come back.
 
And back in 2014, The Local reported on the story of an intoxicated man who climbed some 30 metres up the Eiffel Tower before police convinced him to climb back down.    
 
Nearly seven million people a year visit the 324-metre-high structure, which last week celebrated its 130th anniversary.
   
The first two floors can be reached by either elevator or stairs, but only elevators whisk people to the top observation deck.
 

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PARIS

Fluffy nuisance: Outcry as Paris sends Invalides rabbits into exile

Efforts to relocate wild rabbits that are a common sight on the lawns of the historic Invalides memorial complex have provoked criticism from animal rights groups.

Published: 14 February 2024 13:01 CET
Fluffy nuisance: Outcry as Paris sends Invalides rabbits into exile

Tourists and Parisians have long been accustomed to the sight of wild rabbits frolicking around the lawns of Les Invalides, one of the French capital’s great landmarks.

But efforts are underway to relocate the fluffy animals, accused of damaging the gardens and drains around the giant edifice that houses Napoleon’s tomb, authorities said.

Police said that several dozen bunnies had been captured since late January and relocated to the private estate of Breau in the Seine-et-Marne region outside Paris, a move that has prompted an outcry from animal rights activists.

“Two operations have taken place since 25 January,” the police prefecture told AFP.

“Twenty-four healthy rabbits were captured on each occasion and released after vaccination” in Seine-et-Marne, the prefecture said.

Six more operations are scheduled to take place in the coming weeks.

Around 300 wild rabbits live around Les Invalides, according to estimates.

“The overpopulation on the site is leading to deteriorating living conditions and health risks,” the prefecture said.

Authorities estimate the cost of restoring the site, which has been damaged by the proliferation of underground galleries and the deterioration of gardens, pipes and flora, at €366,000.

Animal rights groups denounced the operation.

The Paris Animaux Zoopolis group said the rabbits were being subjected to “intense stress” or could be killed “under the guise of relocation”.

“A number of rabbits will die during capture and potentially during transport,” said the group, accusing authorities of being “opaque” about their methods.

The animal rights group also noted that Breau was home to the headquarters of the Seine-et-Marne hunting federation.

The police prefecture insisted that the animals would not be hunted.

In 2021, authorities classified the rabbits living in Paris as a nuisance but the order was reversed following an outcry from animal groups who have been pushing for a peaceful cohabitation with the animals.

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