In a dramatic turn of events, a man was arrested for climbing the Eiffel Tower on Sunday, mere hours before the closing ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics. Paris police confirmed the incident to the BBC, stating that the man was seen ascending the iconic structure at approximately 14:45 local time (13:45 BST). Authorities acted swiftly, apprehending him shortly after he began his ascent.
The individual’s motives and nationality remain unclear, as police have yet to release further details. Social media footage captured the tense moment, showing the man, shirtless, climbing the tower just above the Olympic rings that have adorned the Eiffel Tower throughout the summer games.
In another video circulating online, the man is seen being escorted away by police, his hands cuffed behind his back. As he is led away, he can be heard casually remarking to a bystander, “Bloody warm, innit?”—a comment that has since garnered attention for its nonchalant tone in the face of the serious situation.
Reports from the Associated Press indicate that French police evacuated the area surrounding the Eiffel Tower during the incident. Similarly, CNN reported that the tower itself was evacuated, citing police sources.
The Eiffel Tower, a symbol of Paris and a focal point of the Olympic opening ceremony, was not scheduled to play a role in the closing ceremony later that evening. The incident, however, briefly shifted the spotlight back to the tower, adding an unexpected twist to the final hours of the global sporting event.
Melissa Enoch
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