According to Euronews, a fire that started in one of the lift shafts between the first and first floors of the Eiffel Tower in Paris forced its evacuation on Tuesday morning.
Following reports of the fire, which was caused by an overheating cable in the lift shaft, about 1,200 tourists were evacuated. Despite their difficulties, firefighters were able to put out the fire by lunchtime.
During the work, access to the famous landmark—which receives between 15,000 and 25,000 tourists every day—was restricted. Hours after a separate fire started at a building close to the St Lazare train station due to an accident at a construction site, the evacuation took place.
The 1956 fire in the TV control room of the Eiffel Tower, which caused significant damage and took a year to repair, is reminiscent of this fire occurrence. It also comes after the devastating Notre Dame Cathedral fire in Paris in 2019.
The restored 12th-century landmark was ceremoniously reopened on December 8 by the archbishop of Paris, who knocked on its doors and entered. French President Emmanuel Macron was sitting next to US President-elect Donald Trump, who was there as the honoured guest.