Eiffel Tower evacuated after climber spotted on monument in Paris

The Eiffel Tower in Paris has been evacuated after a man was seen climbing up the landmark monument on Monday. According to local media reports, tourists are leaving the grounds of the tower. Footage from the scene shows a man scaling the tower. The incident started around 2:15 pm (local time).

“The Eiffel Tower is currently closed until further notice,” the Eiffel Tower Twitter account said. “We kindly advise our visitors to postpone their visit.”

The man reportedly began his ascent at the second level, at some 149 meters above ground level.

"A climber has been spotted. It's the standard procedure: We have to stop the person, and in that case we evacuate the tower," an SETE official told AFP, adding that police were on the scene. The esplanade underneath the monument was also evacuated.

"We kindly advise our visitors to postpone their visit," the SETE added on Twitter. Police have made contact with the climber but do not yet know why he began his ascent via the iron beams, a police source told AFP.

In October 2017 the tower was also evacuated after a young man ventured out on one of the beams and threatened to commit suicide, before police were able to convince him to come back.

Nearly seven million people a year visit the 324-metre-high structure, which last week celebrated its 130th anniversary.

The first two floors can be reached by either elevator or stairs, but only elevators whisk people to the top observation deck.