Police arrested a man Thursday morning for base jumping off the Eiffel Tower.
Police took the individual into custody for trespassing and endangering the lives of others, according to French outlet BFM. The 24-year-old jumped from the third floor, nearly 920 feet above the ground, before landing on a sports stadium in the Avenue de Suffren, ACTU 17 reported.
Police in Paris have arrested a man for jumping off the Eiffel Tower with a parachute, according to CNN affiliate BFMTV https://t.co/P8ir2qSlFO
— CNN (@CNN) August 17, 2023
Police reportedly apprehended the suspect immediately, and the base jumper allegedly tried to hide from authorities before they got to him. Authorities were alerted nearly two hours before the individual jumped, per ACTU. (RELATED: REPORT: New Military Junta Ruling US Ally Seeks Support From Russia’s Wagner Group)
Sete, the company in charge of operating the famous Paris Monument, reportedly called the police as soon as they saw the base jumper. They reportedly identified the man within minutes. The opening of the Eiffel Tower was delayed as a result of the incident, BFM noted.
This is the third incident involving the Eiffel Tower in a week. In mid August, police arrested two drunk Americans for spending the night in the Eiffel Tower.
Last Saturday, the Eiffel Tower was evacuated due to a bomb threat, but was reopened the same day, according to CNN.