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Police evacuate the area around the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Alamy Stock Photo

Man arrested for climbing Eiffel Tower, causing evacuation ahead of Olympics closing ceremony

Police escorted visitors away from the area around 3pm.

FRENCH POLICE EVACUATED the area around the Eiffel Tower after a man was seen climbing the Paris landmark hours before the Olympics closing ceremony.

The shirtless man was seen scaling the 330m tall tower in the afternoon. It is unclear where he began his ascent, but he was spotted just above the Olympic rings adorning the second section of the monument, just above the first viewing deck.

Police escorted visitors away from the area around 3pm. Some visitors who were briefly locked on the second floor were allowed to exit around 30 minutes later.

“An individual started climbing the Eiffel Tower at 2.45pm, police intervened and the person was detained,” a Paris police official told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of an ongoing investigation into the incident.

in-this-photo-provided-by-nicky-worlock-a-man-climbs-the-eiffel-tower-during-the-2024-summer-olympics-sunday-aug-11-2024-in-paris-france-nickey-worlock-via-ap The man seen climbing the tower this afternoon Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

The Eiffel Tower was a centre-piece of the opening ceremony, with Celine Dion serenading the city from one of its viewing areas.

The Tower is not expected to be part of the closing ceremony, which was set to begin at Stade de France in the northern suburb of Saint-Denis at 8pm Irish time.

The incident occurred as the Olympic competition winds down and security services in Paris and beyond are shifting their focus to the closing ceremony that will bring the curtain down on the Games.

in-this-photo-provided-by-nickey-worlock-a-man-climbs-the-eiffel-tower-during-the-2024-summer-olympics-sunday-aug-11-2024-in-paris-france-nickey-worlock-via-ap The man seen climbing the tower this afternoon. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

More than 30,000 police officers have been deployed around Paris on Sunday.

France’s interior minister Gerald Darmanin said about 3,000 police officers will be mobilised around the Stade de France, and 20,000 police troops and other security personnel in Paris and the Saint-Denis area will be mobilised late into Sunday night to ensure safety on the last day of the Olympics.

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    Mute John O Reilly
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    Nov 1st 2019, 5:56 PM

    Probably just Mayo GAA supporters…..smoke a lot during matches

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    Mute Anto Whelan
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    Nov 1st 2019, 6:05 PM

    @John O Reilly: Sam Maguire .enda Kenny . Mayo for sandwiches.

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    Mute Logan Shepherd
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    Nov 1st 2019, 7:12 PM

    @John O Reilly: Can’t argue with that John.

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    Mute Ananya Sharma
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    Nov 1st 2019, 6:28 PM

    Beautiful dog, talented dog.

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    Mute Decko Kelly
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    Nov 1st 2019, 6:59 PM

    @Ananya Sharma: poxy dog.

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    Mute david lydon
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    Nov 2nd 2019, 2:42 AM

    @Ananya Sharma: wonder if hes for sale I’m always losing my fags

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    Mute Shane Mitchell
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    Nov 1st 2019, 6:59 PM

    a lot of Garda families getting cigarettes for xmas

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    Mute Tony Cosgrove
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    Nov 1st 2019, 8:57 PM

    @Shane Mitchell: you idiot customs did the search give us some credit. CLOWN

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    Mute Tony Cosgrove
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    Nov 1st 2019, 9:00 PM

    @Shane Mitchell: WHO did the search give us some credit you clown

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    Mute Shane Mitchell
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    Nov 1st 2019, 9:23 PM

    @Tony Cosgrove: irony is lost on you Tony. bless

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    Mute Dave Thomas
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    Nov 1st 2019, 7:09 PM

    So, increasing the price of cigarettes doesn’t Work.. just makes people buy them cheaper elsewhere.

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    Mute pat seery
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    Nov 1st 2019, 10:04 PM

    Value of Cigs 3000 euro
    Lost to Exchquer 19000
    What a mark up for the Government

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    Mute Luap
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    Nov 1st 2019, 9:35 PM

    A right little business he had going there

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    Mute Con Veron
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    Nov 2nd 2019, 12:36 AM

    Waste of time .!

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    Mute Laz Mahon
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    Nov 3rd 2019, 12:06 AM

    Living with the compliments from the state, and the cigarette business was just a sideline concern, in case the rent allowance failed to come through on time.

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    Mute Anthony Joseph
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    Nov 2nd 2019, 8:16 PM

    I don’t like them cigarettes….

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