The Eiffel Tower is often the subject of bomb scares (Reuters)
The Eiffel Tower is often the subject of bomb scares (Reuters)

A bomb scare at the Eiffel Tower, which had led to hundreds of tourists being forced to evacuate the world-famous landmark in Paris, was a false alarm, French police have said

The world-famous French landmark was evacuated this afternoon and was not reopened for tourists, reported Reuters.

Visitors ascending the 324-metre (1,062-foot) structure were ordered to return to ground level and move away from the area. Witnesses described tourists being held back by police at the ground level of the tower.

Built in 1889, the tower is regularly the subject of bomb scares, though they are usually found to be hoaxes. Only a couple of times a year do threats lead to full evacuations.

Witnesses said on Twitter that the army was also on site.