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The Eiffel Tower, one of the most iconic landmarks in the world, experienced an evacuation after a fire alarm was triggered on Thursday morning. The Société d'Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (SETE) clarified that a short circuit on the power rail of an elevator between the second floor and the summit caused the alarm. Despite initial concerns, no flames were present, and the situation posed no danger to visitors or the structure.
What Happened at the Eiffel Tower?
At approximately 10:50 a.m., emergency services were dispatched to the Eiffel Tower after fears of a potential fire. French media initially reported the possibility of flames, prompting swift action by authorities. SETE, the organization responsible for managing the Eiffel Tower, evacuated visitors as part of established safety protocols.
Following the evacuation, firefighters inspected the site and confirmed there was no active fire. "No visitors were put at risk," SETE said in a statement, adding that investigations are underway with electrical maintenance providers and elevator technicians to determine the exact cause of the short circuit.
Gradual Reopening After the Incident
While the issue was resolved without harm, parts of the Eiffel Tower remained temporarily closed to visitors. Organizers announced plans to reopen the monument “gradually” throughout the day, allowing access up to the second floor.
The Eiffel Tower, which attracts between 15,000 and 25,000 visitors daily according to statistics from RoadGenius, is currently undergoing maintenance. According to The Independent, this includes re-painting sections of the tower and renovating its North pillar lift, as well as the elevators connecting the second floor to the summit.
Lessons from Notre Dame's Fire
Paris is still acutely sensitive to fire-related incidents involving historical landmarks, especially after the devastating Notre Dame Cathedral fire in 2019. That tragic event destroyed much of the cathedral’s wooden interiors and caused the collapse of its iconic spire. While the situation at the Eiffel Tower posed no such danger, the swift and cautious response highlights the city's vigilance in safeguarding its cultural treasures.
A Monument of History and Modern Significance
Completed in 1889, the Eiffel Tower symbolizes France’s cultural and engineering skills. It served as a centerpiece during the Paris Olympics opening ceremony earlier this year and continues to undergo preservation efforts to maintain its structural integrity for future generations.
The Eiffel Tower is named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel. Locally nicknamed "La dame de fer," which means "Iron Lady" in French, the tower was constructed to commemorate the centennial anniversary of the French Revolution. Although it faced criticism from some of France's leading artists and intellectuals at the time due to its design, it has since become one of the most recognizable structures in the world.
In 2022, the tower welcomed 5,889,000 visitors, making it the most visited monument that charges an entrance fee.
Standing at 330 meters (1,083 feet) tall, the Eiffel Tower is roughly the same height as an 81-story building and currently holds the title of the tallest structure in Paris. Its base is square, each measuring 125 meters (410 feet). The Eiffel Tower surpassed the Washington Monument as the tallest man-made structure in the world. After 41 years, the Chrysler Building in New York City stole the title.
The tower features three visitor levels, with restaurants on the first and second levels. The top level's upper platform, which is 276 meters (906 ft) above the ground, houses the highest observation deck accessible to the public in Europe.