The Eiffel Tower in Paris was evacuated on Tuesday morning after a fire broke out in one of its elevator shafts between the first and second floors, euronews reported.

Around 1,200 tourists were evacuated after reports of the fire, which was caused by an overheated cable in the elevator shaft. Firefighters had difficulty getting to the flames, but the fire was extinguished around midday.

Access to the landmark, which attracts between 15,000 and 25,000 visitors daily, was restricted during the operation.

The evacuation came just hours after another fire broke out in a building near St. Lazare train station, caused by an accident at a construction site.

Previous fire incidents in France

This fire incident is reminiscent of the Eiffel Tower television control room fire in 1956, which caused severe damage and took a year to repair.

It also follows the catastrophic fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris in 2019. On December 8, the Archbishop of Paris symbolically reopened the restored 12th-century landmark by knocking on doors and entering.

US President-elect Donald Trump was present as a guest of honor, sitting next to French President Emmanuel Macron. Attendees admired the freshly cleaned walls, new furniture and advanced lighting systems, all part of the cathedral’s extensive renovation.

The 860-year-old medieval cathedral, a symbol of both France and Paris, has been carefully restored, with a new tower and ribbed vaults, its buttresses and carved stone gargoyles restored to their former glory, and white stone decorations and gold that shine brighter than ever before.

For Catholics, the reopening represents the revival of the spiritual heart of the city, which has been a place of faith and devotion for centuries. Worldwide, it marks the rebirth of a cultural and architectural icon.

The restoration of Notre Dame was a monumental effort made possible by exceptional craftsmanship, nearly $1 billion in global donations and a shared commitment to rebuild the beloved heritage symbol.