PARIS – In the wake of recent violent protests in France, social media platforms were abuzz with images purporting to show the iconic Eiffel Tower engulfed in flames, however, a thorough investigation has revealed these claims to be unfounded.
The rumors began circulating as France found itself in the throes of civil unrest, following the alleged killing of a young man of Arab descent by a French police officer, the incident has sparked widespread demonstrations across the country.
Images of the Eiffel Tower, one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world, seemingly ablaze added fuel to an already volatile situation, however, upon closer inspection, these images were found to be from a previous incident that occurred in May 2016, at that time, a truck carrying fireworks had caught fire near the Eiffel Tower, causing a significant blaze.
A visit to the official Eiffel Tower website revealed that the monument was operating as usual, with large crowds of visitors and long wait times to access the tower’s viewing platform, furthermore, no reports of any incident at the Eiffel Tower were found on any reputable French news outlets.
The Eiffel Tower, built over 130 years ago, attracts approximately seven million tourists each year, initially constructed as a temporary exhibit for the 1898 World Fair, the tower was saved from demolition by its designer, Gustave Eiffel, who highlighted its scientific significance. The first radio broadcast was transmitted from its peak, according to France 24.
As France grapples with its current social unrest, it is crucial to separate fact from fiction. The Eiffel Tower, an enduring symbol of France, remains untouched amidst the turmoil.
