The Eiffel Tower is evacuated due to a bomb threat

The Eiffel Tower is evacuated due to a bomb scare before police discover telephone threat was a HOAX

  • Eiffel Tower evacuated around midday by armed police who set up a cordon
  • Alert is thought to have been sparked by an anonymous call made to officers
  • Site was close for around two hours while explosive teams swept the area
  • But officers later said the threat was a hoax, after no bombs were found 

The Eiffel Tower was evacuated today after an anonymous bomb threat was made to police – which officers later ruled to be a hoax.

Cops cordoned off the Parisian landmark around midday Wednesday after the threat was made, with armed officers seen blocking roads.

Roads leading to the landmark, in Paris’s 7th arrondissement, were closed while people were told to avoid the area. 

Police have evacuated and cordoned off the Eiffel Tower in Paris after an anonymous caller claimed that explosives had been left at the tourist attraction

But around two hours later the cordon was lifted after bomb squads failed to find any explosives, leading police to conclude the call was a hoax.  

A source said: ‘There was an evacuation and checks were carried out, and a safety perimeter was set up. 

;This was a routine precaution. The tower is now open as usual.’

Videos posted on social media showed police cars at the foot of the tower, with one poster tweeting: ‘Perimeter of Tour Eiffel cordoned off, police operation in progress.’

Armed officers (pictured centre) could be seen stationed around the landmark while explosives teams swept the area

Armed officers (pictured centre) could be seen stationed around the landmark while explosives teams swept the area

A source at the tower said the landmark would be closed until further notice while searches are carried out (pictured, officers at the tower)

A source at the tower said the landmark would be closed until further notice while searches are carried out (pictured, officers at the tower)

The so-called ‘Iron Lady’ welcomes more than six million visitors a year, and regularly receives calls concerning security – many of which turn out to be hoaxes.

In 2018, perimeter defences including bullet proof glass screens were placed around the monument to protect against terror threats.

Terrorist groups which have threatened it in recent years include Al-Qaeda and Isis.

It has also been attacked by members of the anti-government Yellow Vest movement, which last year lit fires at the base of the tower, and destroyed perimeter fencing.

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