Paris – A bomb threat targeting Paris’s iconic landmark, the Eiffel Tower, resulted in a swift and comprehensive security response on Saturday, leading to the evacuation of all three floors of the monument for nearly two hours. The incident highlights the city’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety of its residents and visitors.
According to media reports, the Sete (Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel), the company responsible for operating the Eiffel Tower, and Paris police, the security response was well-coordinated and efficient. Police bomb disposal experts were promptly dispatched to the scene after the bomb threat was reported. While such occurrences are rare, the presence of law enforcement and bomb squad personnel on-site is standard procedure for addressing potential threats.
The evacuation encompassed the entire Eiffel Tower, including its renowned tower restaurant and the forecourt. To ensure the safety of everyone involved, a substantial security perimeter was established, redirecting traffic and facilitating the orderly evacuation of visitors. The evacuation commenced at 12:15pm and concluded around 3:30pm, allowing the Eiffel Tower, affectionately known as the “Iron Lady,” to reopen its doors to the public.
The alert was lifted around 3:30 p.m. and the the Eiffel Tower reopened to the public, La Sete and a police source told media agencies.
Visitors were allowed to reenter the Eiffel Tower approximately three hours after the evacuation, as confirmed by a French police source. “It was a false alarm, people can go back inside,” the source stated, providing reassurance that the threat had been effectively addressed.
Despite such challenges, the Eiffel Tower stands as a symbol of Paris’s resilience and dedication to the safety and well-being of its residents and visitors. In 2022, the iconic monument welcomed over 5.8 million visitors, underscoring its enduring significance as a representation of Parisian culture and history.
This incident marks a notable event in recent years. The last bomb scare resulting in the tower’s evacuation occurred in September 2020, triggered by an anonymous call to the police. During that incident, an individual made threatening statements about causing an explosion at the tower while shouting “Allahu Akbar.”
(With inputs from agencies)
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