Focus

France probes false bomb threats at Eiffel Tower

14 Aug 2023 05:39pm
Republican Security Corps (CRS) officers secure the area in central Paris on Aug 12, 2023, after a security alert prompted the evacuation of three floors of the Eiffel Tower, France's most emblematic symbol which drew 6.2 million visitors last year. (Photo by MIGUEL MEDINA / AFP)
Republican Security Corps (CRS) officers secure the area in central Paris on Aug 12, 2023, after a security alert prompted the evacuation of three floors of the Eiffel Tower, France's most emblematic symbol which drew 6.2 million visitors last year. (Photo by MIGUEL MEDINA / AFP)

PARIS - French police have launched an investigation into two bomb scares at the Eiffel Tower this weekend that forced the monument to be evacuated twice in the same day, prosecutors said on Monday.

The landmark tower became the target of false bomb threats on two occasions on Saturday and was cleared of visitors each time.

Paris detectives are leading the probe into suspected "threats to lives" and "falsely claiming that a dangerous explosive incident has occurred or will occur", the prosectors' office said.

The charges carry a prison sentence of up to two years for those convicted.

The threats were made via posts on gaming site jeuxvideo.com and on moncommissariat.fr, a platform for online contact between citizens and police.

The Eiffel Tower, the French capital's main tourist magnet, attracted 5.8 million visitors last year. - AFP

Related Articles:
france
probe
false
bomb
threat
eiffel
tower
More Like This
No Image Caption
World US egg prices soar to yearly high amid bird flu, holiday demand
National wholesale prices for large eggs reached 4.07 U.S. dollars per dozen on Friday, marking a dramatic increase from 1.1 dollars early this year, according to data from the US Department of Agriculture.
Photo for illustration purpose only. - Illustrated via Canva
Photo for illustration purpose only. - Illustrated via Canva
World 234 new species discovered in the Greater Makong region
With many of the species already under threat of extinction from human activities, WWF is calling on governments in the region to increase conservation of these rare, amazing creatures and their habitats.
Photo for illustration purpose only. - Illustrated via Canva
Photo for illustration purpose only. - Illustrated via Canva
World Egypt's ancient herbs bloom into promising modern industry
Fayoum is blossoming into a hub for medicinal herbs, with exports reaching across continents.
Photo: Ray-Ban website
Photo: Ray-Ban website
World Meta updates smart glasses with live AI function
Ray-Ban Meta owners in Meta's early access programme for the United States and Canada can now download firmware v11, which adds "live AI", according to the company.