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Eiffel Tower announces closure as France unrest intensifies
Eiffel Tower shutdown was prompted by a nationwide strike disrupted a range of services including schools and trains, the monument's official website said.
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The Eiffel Tower in Paris was closed to the public on Thursday amid weeks of protests that have rocked France. The shutdown was prompted by a nationwide strike that disrupted several services, including schools and train operations, according to the monument's official website.
Amid renewed demonstrations, striking workers marched across France on Thursday to protest against the rising cost of living, with hundreds of thousands of people expected to take to the streets across the country, AFP reported. More than 250,000 people were participating in demonstrations across 73 cities by the afternoon, the major labour union CGT was quoted as saying.
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France, Europe's largest economy, has been rocked by weeks of massive protests as the government grapples with its finances, six months ahead of elections to choose President Emmanuel Macron's successor, with the far right leading in opinion polls.
The unrest initially erupted after students began protesting over deteriorating conditions in schools. This coincided with widespread public anger over the rising cost of living and inequality, culminating in October 17's riots, described as the worst France had witnessed in years.
In a fresh escalation, French riot police reportedly fired tear gas and charged at a group of protesters in Lyon on Thursday. The latest nationwide demonstrations were called by trade unions, including the left-wing CGT, and received backing from student groups.
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A high school near Toulouse, in southwestern France, was set on fire on Thursday morning, BFM TV reported.
Earlier, high school students and other demonstrators clashed with riot police in Paris after blocking a street with rubbish bins on Thursday morning.
