This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates as more information becomes available.
A man is attempting to scale the Eiffel Tower, prompting the monument’s evacuation and closure on Monday.
Authorities made contact with the man, although his intentions for climbing the tower are not yet known, the Associated Press reported.
HAPPENING NOW: The Eiffel Tower has been closed to visitors while someone attempts to scale its side. https://t.co/OVsO4Kewe8
— ABC News (@ABC) May 20, 2019
The man reportedly paid entry and began climbing from the second floor.
He was spotted wearing a red jacket after somehow evading the tower’s tough security system.
Some photos showed the climber getting close to the top of the tower.
WATCH: A man scaled Paris’ iconic Eiffel Tower on Monday, causing officials to close the monument. The climber’s intentions are unclear. In 2015, another daredevil, “freerunner” James Kingston, climbed the edifice without ropes or permission, dodging security cameras as he went. pic.twitter.com/RAWVa1ZuId
— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) May 20, 2019
The official Twitter account for the Eiffel Tower tweeted an announcement that said, “The Eiffel Tower is currently closed until further notice. We kindly advise our visitors to postpone their visit.”
⚠️
🇫🇷 La #tourEiffel est actuellement fermée jusqu’à nouvel ordre. Pour éviter une trop longue attente, nous conseillons à nos visiteurs de reporter leur visite.
🇬🇧 The Eiffel Tower is currently closed until further notice. We kindly advise our visitors to postpone their visit.— La tour Eiffel (@LaTourEiffel) May 20, 2019
It is not known when the tower is expected to reopen.
Irish Independent news editor Claire Murphy said she was at the top of the tower at the time and once a security breach was identified, Murphy was unable to leave due to a lockdown.
We are being told a guy paid in and then started to climb from the second floor #EiffelTower
— Claire Murphy (@ClaireEBMurphy) May 20, 2019
Police are reportedly negotiating with the man.
