Eiffel Tower to be shielded by glass walls in light of security threats

For decades, the Eiffel Tower has attracted tourists from all over the world to Paris, and has come to be known as a prominent landmark there. However, the symbol of the city is soon to be surrounded by bulletproof glass walls which are going to be 2.5 meters high. This is being done as part of a plan to prevent attacks at the historic monument.

The decision was announced on Thursday and it was revealed that by autumn this year, the project will be completed. The walls will cost around US $21.4 million ad then will surround the northern and southern ends of the tower.

On the western and eastern sides, “inelegant temporary” barriers that were erected around the 324-metre tower during the Euro 2016 football tournament in France last year will be replaced by ornate fencing.

The glass walls will be designed to prevent individuals or vehicles from storming the site, which is visited by six million people every year.

“The terror threat remains high in Paris, and the most vulnerable sites, starting with the Eiffel Tower, must be the object of special security measures,” deputy mayor Jean-Francois Martins told a press conference.

This decision has been met with mixed reviews as some people fear that the walls would turn the tower into a ‘fortress’ and will discourage tourists from visiting the site.

According to sources, architects have already been tasked with designing the wall and they have been asked to make sure that the walls blend in with the river, which borders the tower to the north, and with the Champ de Mars Park to the south.

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Posted by fatimaarshad on Feb 10 2017. Filed under Latest News, World. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.