Eiffel Tower closed to visitors after three ‘terror suspects seen’
- 9 years ago
The Eiffel Tower was shut to all visitors today after three 'terrorist suspects' with 'large rucksacks' were seen ascending France's most popular tourist attraction.
Anti-terrorist police supported by a helicopter could be seen at the iconic landmark following the alarm being raised in the early hours.
But after a search which went on all morning it was thought they had escaped via parachute - prompting a theory that they had been extreme sportsmen all along.
'There were reports of three people climbing the tower from the outside from about 5.30am,' said a police source.
The tower has frequently been threatened by terrorist groups, including al-Qaeda and ISIS, with security stepped up since attacks by three radical gunmen in the city in January.
Anti-terrorist police supported by a helicopter could be seen at the iconic landmark following the alarm being raised in the early hours.
But after a search which went on all morning it was thought they had escaped via parachute - prompting a theory that they had been extreme sportsmen all along.
'There were reports of three people climbing the tower from the outside from about 5.30am,' said a police source.
The tower has frequently been threatened by terrorist groups, including al-Qaeda and ISIS, with security stepped up since attacks by three radical gunmen in the city in January.