Drunk American Tourists Found Asleep Inside Eiffel Tower, Delaying Opening Hours

Two American tourists were discovered in a peculiar situation at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, having spent the night in an area not typically accessible to the public. This incident reported by Euronews, attributed to their drunken state, prompted a delay in the iconic landmark’s opening hours.

Last summer in August, security personnel at the Eiffel Tower made an unexpected discovery as they found two American tourists sleeping between the second and third levels of the structure. Parisian authorities suggested that the tourists had become trapped due to their excessive intoxication, leading to their unusual predicament.

The tourists had reportedly paid their entrance fees around 10:40 pm on Sunday evening. According to police reports, they disregarded barriers and made their way down the stairs from the top platform. The discovery was made during the early morning hours, as security guards conducted their routine rounds.

Responding to the situation, a specialized unit trained in high-altitude rescues, along with firefighters, was summoned to safely bring down the stranded individuals. Consequently, the Eiffel Tower’s usual 9 am opening time was delayed by an hour, finally welcoming visitors at 10 am.

Although the tourists were questioned by the police, the charge of trespassing on a historical or cultural site was dismissed as no damage was reported. The Société d’Exploitation de la Tour Eiffel (Sete), the public company responsible for operating the Eiffel Tower, indicated its intent to file a complaint against the tourists but clarified that they posed no apparent threat.

Incident Amid False Bomb Threats:
This peculiar incident followed a series of false bomb threats on the Eiffel Tower the previous Saturday, which resulted in evacuations of the monument. Visitors were temporarily evacuated from all three floors, including the restaurant and forecourt, while police bomb disposal experts assessed the threats. Fortunately, the threats were deemed to be hoaxes, and the Eiffel Tower was reopened later in the day.

Authorities have initiated an investigation into the source of the false threats, which were posted on a gaming website and an online platform for Parisian citizens. On Monday morning, three more police stations in the city received emails regarding bomb threats. However, Sete, upon being informed of these threats, opted not to evacuate the Eiffel Tower.