Paris, December 25 – The Eiffel Tower, an iconic symbol of France, was evacuated on Christmas Eve after a technical issue triggered fire alarms, leading to safety concerns and restricted access for visitors.
Table of Contents
- Incident Details
- Earlier Evacuation Due to Elevator Malfunction
- Ongoing Renovations at the Eiffel Tower
- Paris Haunted by Past Fires
- Visitor Advisory
Incident Details
At around 10:50 AM on December 24, fire alarms sounded due to a short circuit in an elevator power rail between the second floor and the tower’s summit. Emergency services quickly responded, evacuating parts of the monument.
“No visitors were put in danger,” confirmed the Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (SETE). Firefighters and technicians conducted thorough investigations to identify and resolve the issue, with plans to reopen the tower gradually up to the second floor later in the day.
Earlier Evacuation Due to Elevator Malfunction
This incident followed another evacuation earlier in the week when overheating of an elevator cable between the first and second floors raised fire concerns. On that occasion, around 1,200 tourists were evacuated as a precaution.
Ongoing Renovations at the Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower has been undergoing significant maintenance work, including:
- Repainting sections of the tower.
- Renovation of the North pillar lift.
- Upgrades to the elevators between the second floor and the summit.
These efforts aim to preserve the structure, which attracts between 15,000 and 25,000 visitors daily.
Paris Haunted by Past Fires
Paris remains sensitive to fire-related incidents following the 2019 blaze at Notre Dame Cathedral, which devastated the Gothic masterpiece, destroying its wooden interiors and iconic spire. A €700 million restoration effort recently culminated in the cathedral’s reopening this month, hailed as a triumph.
The Eiffel Tower, too, has a history of fire-related challenges. Its most significant incident occurred in 1956, when a fire in the TV control room severely damaged the top section. Repairs took a year, during which the current radio antenna was added.
Visitor Advisory
Tourists planning to visit the Eiffel Tower are encouraged to check updates on accessibility and operations to avoid disruptions. As maintenance work continues, safety remains a top priority at the 135-year-old monument.
The Christmas Eve incident highlights the importance of stringent safety measures and ongoing preservation efforts to safeguard one of the world’s most treasured landmarks.
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