Eiffel Tower To Get Reinforced Glass Wall as Protection against Terror Attacks
French authorities have decided to build an 8ft-high wall of reinforced glass around Paris’ Eiffel Tower as protection against terror attacks.
According to the Paris mayor’s office, the wall will replace metal fences put up for the Euro 2016 soccer tournament.
The project, if approved, is expected to cost about €20 million ($21 million) and work should start later this year.
Paris has been on high alert since attacks by jihadists in November 2015 left 130 people dead.
Photo AFP
In July 2016, 86 people were killed when a truck ploughed through a crowd celebrating Bastille Day in the southern city of Nice.
The Eiffel Tower, one of France’s most famous landmarks, attracts more than six million visitors each year and the wall is designed to stop individuals or vehicles storming the site, said the assistant mayor for tourism, Jean-Francois Martins.
He said: “The terror threat remains high in Paris and the most vulnerable sites, led by the Eiffel Tower, must be the object of special security measures.
“We will replace the metal grids to the north and south with glass panels which will allow Parisians and visitors a very pleasant view of the monument.”
Jean-Francois Martins added: “We have three aims – to improve the look, make access easier and strengthen the protection of visitors and staff.”
The project will also involve reorganizing pathways around the tower.
Earlier this month, a man wielding two machetes attack Louvre Museum.
However, President Francois Hollande said there was little doubt it was a terrorist act.