Smoke rising from Eiffel Tower causes terror scare in wake of Nice attack (VIDEOS)
Fireworks at Paris’s iconic Eiffel Tower caused a blaze with billowing smoke as a truck had a “technical incident,” French police said. The fire triggered massive panic as it followed an earlier attack in Nice, where a truck plowed into a crowd, killing dozens.
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The blaze in the midst of fireworks was caught by thousands on cameras. The footage showed the Eiffel Tower covered with heavy smoke, partially obscured.
😕 RT @alexisthiebaut: ALERTE : incendie au pied de la #TourEiffel !! Video : pic.twitter.com/WCem92D0fa
— Lenissa✨ (@DaniaHawkins) July 14, 2016
Local police confirmed that the fire was an accident and not a terror attack.
Attentat à Nice + incendie à la Tour Eiffel.... Génial ce 14 juillet. pic.twitter.com/iD2rqyvRsS
— LAETITIA (@Laxtitia) July 14, 2016
Paris Police Prefecture tweeted that the blaze was caused by a “technical incident” involving a “truck with fireworks,” which was located nearby the Eiffel Tower.
Ne propagez pas de fausses rumeurs. Aucun incendie à la #TourEiffel. Un incendie accidentel de camion a eu lieu pont d'Iéna. Il est éteint.
— Préfecture de police (@prefpolice) July 14, 2016
Some videos posted online clearly show where the fire originated - the neighboring Jena Bridge.
🇫🇷❤️🇫🇷💙 #14juillet#BastilleDay#Paris#TourEiffelpic.twitter.com/LU8PZzAtWd
— Mademoiselle SelmΔ (@MlleSelma) July 14, 2016
However, despite police reassurance, the fire caused massive panic, as it followed a tragic attack in Nice, in southern France. Over 75 people were killed and more than 120 others injured after a truck plowed into a crowd during Bastille Day celebrations.
READ MORE: Moment of truck rampage in Nice captured on video (GRAPHIC)
#TourEiffel after firework pic.twitter.com/If7XEZZWFu
— Sancun Râ (@sancun74) July 14, 2016
Bastille Day is celebrated every year on July 14 in France and French-speaking regions around the globe. It celebrates the start of the French Revolution over 200 years ago.