Eiffel Tower evacuated hours before Olympics closing ceremony as shirtless man climbs landmark

Authorities evacuated the Eiffel Tower after a man was spotted climbing the Olympic rings in a major security scare. What he said took onlookers aback. Watch video.

The Eiffel Tower was evacuated after a shirtless man was spotted climbing the iconic landmark just hours before the Olympics closing ceremony.

Shocked onlookers watched as the man, confirmed to be British by the Paris Prosecutor’s office, scaled the 300-metre structure and managed to pause on top of the blue Olympic ring before continuing his dangerous ascent.

The free climber was caught making his way up the north face of the tower without a harness or ropes just moments before the final events were set to be completed on Sunday afternoon, local time.

The shirtless man climbs the Eiffel Tower just hours before the closing ceremony begins. Picture: X

The man is led away after climbing the Eiffel Tower. Picture: X

Incredible video footage shows the man reaching half way up the giant landmark before being taken away in handcuffs by French police as tourists watched him from the viewing platform.

Specialist climbing police were sent up the tower after it was cleared to check for any suspicious or unusual activity.

The Paris Prosecutor’s office confirmed to The Sun the man was British and has been charged with endangering others and intrusion into a historic or cultural site.

A Paris police spokesman said: “At 2.45pm, an individual was seen climbing the Eiffel Tower.

“The police immediately intervened and arrested the individual”, according to The Sun.

The man can be heard saying “bloody warm, innit” as he was led away.

Security officials quickly cordoned off the Eiffel Tower as they evacuated the site around 3pm, local time (midnight AEST).

Those inside the tower at the time of the ordeal were briefly locked inside on the second floor, according to reports.

Tourists queuing up to see the landmark were left unaware of the ongoing situation above them and were left frustrated after they were told to leave.

One social media user posted on X: “Just waited in line for so long to go to the top of the Eiffel Tower but someone is trying to climb it so they just shut the whole thing down. Super.”

Investigations are ongoing into the motivation behind the reckless climb.

France’s Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin announced prior to the major security breach that 23,000 police officers would be mobilised in the French capital and at least 3,000 extra officers would be stationed around the Stade de France.

Originally published as Eiffel Tower evacuated hours before Olympics closing ceremony as shirtless man climbs landmark