The area around the Eiffel Tower was evacuated this afternoon after a shirtless man was spotted scaling the iconic Paris landmark, just hours before the closing ceremony of the 2024 Olympics.
The man was seen climbing the 1,083ft (330m) tower on Sunday, August 11, around 3pm, causing police to swiftly evacuate visitors from the area. The shirtless climber was spotted above the Olympic rings, positioned on the second section of the tower, just above the first viewing deck.
As a precaution, police temporarily locked some visitors on the second floor, but they were allowed to leave after approximately 30 minutes.
The incident occurred just hours before the closing ceremony of the Olympics, which is set to take place at the Stade de France in the Saint-Denis area, well away from the Eiffel Tower, at around 9pm.
In light of the final day of the Games, more than 30,000 police officers have been deployed across Paris and the surrounding areas to ensure safety. France’s Interior Minister, Gérald Darmanin, confirmed that about 3,000 police officers will be stationed around the Stade de France, with an additional 20,000 security personnel on duty throughout Paris and Saint-Denis.
The circumstances surrounding the man’s ascent of the Eiffel Tower remain unclear, and authorities are investigating the incident.
The Paris 2024 Olympics have been marked by extensive security measures, with this latest event underscoring the challenges faced by law enforcement as the Games draw to a close.
