Friday, December 27, 2024

Eiffel Tower evacuated after fire alarm malfunction at famous Paris attraction

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The Eiffel tower was evacuated on Christmas eve after a fire alarm sounded.

Visitors have been temporary barred from parts of the Paris attraction, with organisers hoping to reopen the tower “gradually” during the day “up to the second floor”.

Emergency services rushed to the scene after fears a fire could have started in the iconic French landmark.

The issue was later identified as a short circuit on an elevator power rail, the Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (SETE) said.

Firefighters pose for a picture with a Santa Claus near the Eiffel Tower as the site was closed and then reopened after a fire alarm, on December 24, 2024

Firefighters pose for a picture with a Santa Claus near the Eiffel Tower as the site was closed and then reopened after a fire alarm, on December 24, 2024 (AFP via Getty Images)

The technical problem occured between the second floor and the top of the monument and caused the fire alarm to go off at 10:50am.

SETE said that they evacuated the monument “in accordance with current safety procedures”.

“No visitors were put in danger”, a spokesperson added, saying that firefighters and technicians are “conducting investigations to identify the origin of this incident”.

Visitors wait in line to visit the Eiffel Tower as the site was closed and then reopened after a fire alarm

Visitors wait in line to visit the Eiffel Tower as the site was closed and then reopened after a fire alarm (AFP via Getty Images)

The Eiffel tower has been undergoing maintenance work, including re-painting parts of the tower, a renovation of the North pillar lift and renovation of the lifts that take visitors from the second floor to the top.

The tower, which was a centre piece for this year’s Paris Olympics opening ceremony, was completed in 1889.

Paris is haunted by the fire in Notre Dame cathedral in 2019, which saw the wooden interiors destroyed and the spire collapse.

Its recent reopening this month was hailed as a triumph after 2,000 masons, carpenters, restorers, roofers, and engineers worked to restore the cathedral in just five years.

The restoration cost a reported €700m (around £582m).

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