Eiffel Tower Closes Amid Protests and Strike

Paris (ANTARA) – The Eiffel Tower was closed to visitors on Thursday (5 November) because of a nationwide strike in France, while demonstrations were also taking place in various parts of the country.

“Due to the nationwide strike, the Eiffel Tower is closed today,” an announcement on the landmark’s official website said.

By 1pm local time (7pm Western Indonesian Time), 270,000 protesters had taken part in 180 demonstrations across France, excluding Paris, French television channel BFM TV reported, citing sources close to the country’s interior minister.

According to figures released by France’s Ministry of National Education, 15.81 per cent of teachers went on strike on Thursday, BFM TV reported. Meanwhile, nearly 33 per cent of higher education institutions had been affected by the movement by midday, disrupting 60 of the country’s 184 institutions.