The Eiffel Tower, the symbol of the French capital, was evacuated this Wednesday after the police received a call claiming that an explosive device had been planted there, BFM media reported.
The company that manages the tower (SETE) told local media that the evacuation began around 12:15 (10:15 GMT), and stated that this alert, received through an anonymous phone call, is the first this year.
A correspondent for the same medium has also shared a video from the place, where it can be seen that the area has been cordoned off by police officers.
Les abords de la Tour Eiffel sont bouclés par la police. Il y a une alerte à la bombe. La circulation est déviée Quai Branly. – @BFMParis pic.twitter.com/WZnWytKk0f
— Barthelemy Bolo (@B2Bolo) September 23, 2020
Les vérifications sont en cours. Selon nos informations la @LaTourEiffel est évacuée pic.twitter.com/FiIK8TfxEM
— Barthelemy Bolo (@B2Bolo) September 23, 2020
From last September 14 to October 15, the tower’s normal opening hours are from 10:30 (08:30 GMT) to 18:30 (16:30 GMT).
The coronavirus pandemic forced a shutdown for security reasons for more than three months. It was the longest since World War II and it reopened on June 25.