Paris On High Alert As Bomb Scare Empties Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower was emptied on Tuesday night, the second time in two weeks, following a bomb scare that later proved to be a false alarm. Paris was placed on "red alert" in anticipation of a possible terrorist attack, and thousands of troops and police were deployed to "sensitive" places after the bomb threat.

French government officials have warned of an increased risk of terrorist attacks. Interior Minister Brice Hortefeux told earlier this month that “in the last few days, several events remind us that we find ourselves in a period that demands greater vigilance, particularly against the risk of terrorist attacks". According to head of the DCRI domestic intelligence agency, Bernard Squarcini, the threat of terrorism to France has "never been higher". He told that the threat can be traced to "France's involvement in international conflicts".

A report by Sky News claimed yesterday that spy agencies have uncovered a plot to attack London as well as other cities in the U.K, Germany and France. The terror plot, designed by Pakistan-based militants, was in an “advanced but not imminent stage”.

Troops carrying automatic weapons have been stationed at all the key train stations, from Versailles to Montparnasse. A call received by the Eiffel Tower's operator yesterday, which was traced to a phone booth close to the monument, had threatened that a bomb has been placed at the venue, a spokeswoman of the Paris police told.