The Paris police on Sunday arrested a man after he was caught climbing the Eiffel Tower just hours before the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games.
The incident occurred around 2:45 p.m. local time, prompting a swift response from officers who apprehended the climber.
Although the man’s motivation and nationality remain unknown, and authorities have yet to release further details, videos circulating on social media show the man, shirtless, scaling the iconic landmark just above the Olympic rings that have adorned the tower throughout the summer games.
In another video, the man is seen being led away by police, hands cuffed behind his back, remarking to a bystander, “Bloody warm, innit?”
According to AP, during the incident, French police reportedly evacuated the area around the Eiffel Tower, according to the Associated Press.
It was also reported that the tower itself was evacuated, though it could not independently verify these claims or determine whether the evacuations were still in place as of 4:00 p.m.
The Eiffel Tower, which was a centerpiece of the Olympics’ opening ceremony, was not expected to play a role in the closing ceremony scheduled for later that evening.
