‘There’s been a report of a man with a rucksack, ‘ a police official said.
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The Eiffel Tower was shut to all visitors today due to a terrorism scare amid reports of a man seen carrying a rucksack. They completely disappeared, so enquiries are centered on them being extreme parachutists.
The tower has since been blocked off by police and tourists have been asked to stay clear of the attraction for the day. Crowds of hundreds of people were attempting to go up, but were told to leave the area, with ticket booths closed to the public.
France is on the highest state of alert following a spate of terror attacks this year. Security was stepped up in Paris after attacks by three gunmen in the city in January.
The source said: “It is highly likely the suspects fled early this morning, by jumping off with parachutes or hand gliding before the guards arrived”.
The Eiffel Tower, the iconic 986-feet structure of France is on the target of Islamic radical groups.
It is the most visited paid-for monument in the world, with some 7 million people a year going up it.
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Many holidaymakers are still waiting for the popular tourist site to reopen, but it is unclear when it will.
