An evacuation has taken place at the Eiffel Tower in Paris after a short circuit at the iconic structure in the French capital and emergency services rushed to the scene with reports of a fire
Firefighters at the Eiffel Tower today after the landmark was evacuated (
Image: AFP via Getty Images)
A fire alarm caused the evacuation of the Eiffel Tower in Paris due to a technical problem.
Emergency services rushed to the scene while tourists have been led away from the iconic structure in the French capital. The Eiffel Tower is currently closed while an investigation is carried out and maintenance work is undertaken after a short circuit.
“It turned out to be a short circuit in an elevator power rail,” said a spokesman for SETE, the tower’s management company. “The technical problem occurred between the second floor and the top of the monument, causing the fire alarm to be triggered at 10.50am. In accordance with current safety procedures, we evacuated the monument.”
He added that there was no fire, and “no visitors were put in danger”. When news emerged of the evacuation there was wild speculation online about a blaze. One person has written on X: “A fire is currently raging at the Eiffel Tower. The monument has just been evacuated. An emergency response company has established a perimeter, but firefighters are unable to access the flames.”
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And another also shared on social media: “A fire is in progress at the Eiffel Tower. Flames were observed in the elevator shaft between the 1st and 2nd floors. All people in the vicinity have been evacuated. The firefighters are still working.” While a further person stated: “After Notre Dame, we now have the Eiffel Tower on fire!”
Paris is still haunted by the fire at Notre Dame Cathedral, with thick plumes of smoke going into the air in 2019. This month the first Mass was hosted after the church was rebuilt and it has become a powerful symbol of Paris’ resilience. Notre Dame’s journey from ruin to resurrection was defined by extraordinary craftsmanship, nearly £1billion in global donations and a collective, unyielding determination to rebuild.
The path to restoration was fraught with challenges. Lead contamination forced work to pause, and the COVID-19 pandemic added delays. Yet the project, overseen by architect Philippe Villeneuve, has been hailed as a triumph of human ingenuity and collective resolve. Cutting-edge fire prevention systems, including thermal cameras and a misting system, have been installed to safeguard the cathedral’s future.
