Hundreds Evacuated After Fire Erupts at Eiffel Tower

Around 1,200 people were evacuated from the Eiffel Tower on Tuesday after a fire broke out in the elevator shaft between the first and second floors, French authorities have confirmed.

The iconic landmark has been evacuated. Credit: Aurelien Meunier / Getty

What Happened?

The fire is believed to have started due to an overheating device near an elevator cable, according to Boulevard Voltaire.

• Eyewitness Accounts:
  Social media users shared videos and posts as the situation unfolded:
  • One user on X wrote, “A fire is currently raging at the Eiffel Tower. An emergency perimeter has been established, but firefighters are struggling to access the flames.”
• Fire Under Control:
  Despite initial challenges, firefighters successfully extinguished the blaze. Journalist Julien Tellier reported: “The fire has been brought under control and is now out.”

Evacuation and Response

The Eiffel Tower, which welcomes 15,000–25,000 visitors daily, was fully evacuated, with no injuries reported.

The monument attracts thousands of guests every day. Credit: Karl Hendon / Getty

Authorities quickly implemented safety protocols, ensuring the area was cleared and secured.

Comparisons to Notre Dame Fire

The incident has drawn comparisons to the 2019 Notre Dame Cathedral fire, which burned for nearly 15 hours, causing catastrophic damage to the historic site.

• Notre Dame’s Legacy:
  • Restoration efforts following the 2019 blaze were completed this year, with a grand reopening ceremony attended by dignitaries worldwide.

What’s Next?

Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the precise cause of the fire and to implement measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Notre Dame burned in April 2019. Credit: Chesnot / Getty

While the damage was minimal compared to past disasters like Notre Dame, the incident underscores the vulnerabilities of even the most iconic landmarks.

Featured Image Credit: Karl Hendon / Getty