The Eiffel Tower in Paris underwent a precautionary evacuation, successfully managing the safety of approximately 1,200 visitors on Tuesday, December 24.
This decision followed the detection of a technical issue related to the elevator shaft between the first and second floors of the tower which almost led to a fire outbreak, as reported by local media.
Authorities responded swiftly, deploying firefighters to assess the situation. Initial investigations suggest that the issue may have originated from an overheating device near the elevator cable, according to a police source who spoke to Boulevard Voltaire.
As one of the most iconic and frequently visited attractions worldwide, the Eiffel Tower typically welcomes between 15,000 and 25,000 guests each day, according to RoadGenius statistics.
While this incident raises concerns, it is worth noting that the tower has previously experienced fire-related events; a notable case occurred in January 1956 when a fire in the television transmission room caused considerable damage.
Today’s situation was triggered by a technical malfunction rather than an actual fire, prompting an evacuation as a safety measure.
A spokesperson for SETE, the management company for the tower, clarified that the alarm was activated at 10:50 AM due to a short circuit in the elevator power rail, particularly between the second floor and the summit of the monument.
Following established safety protocols, the evacuation was executed effectively and safely.
The spokesperson emphasized that there was no actual fire and that all visitors were unharmed.
In response to the evacuation news, there was some online speculation about a possible fire outbreak, but first responders quickly established a perimeter to ensure safety.