Eiffel Tower is CLOSED as man climbs more than halfway up the 900ft structure and police negotiators arrive at the scene Visitors were evacuated from the tower and the entrances were shut after the incident on Monday afternoon Pictures showed the man climbed almost entire way up the huge structure before stopping near viewing deck Officers are currently negotiating with the man in an attempt to get him down and are climbing from the top By Peter Allen In Paris for MailOnline and Afp Published: 15:29 BST, 20 May 2019 | Updated: 20:20 BST, 20 May 2019 3.3k shares 265 Viewcomments Advertisement The Eiffel Tower was evacuated of all visitors and then shut down today after a man was spotted climbing up the Paris landmark. Police and other emergency workers including firefighters in the French capital were immediately scrambled to the 900 feet structure, which has just celebrated its 130th anniversary. A spokesman for the tower said at 4pm on Monday: ‘The Eiffel Tower is currently closed until further notice, because of an unidentified climber. The man looking down towards the ground nearly 900ft below as he holds onto the tower just below the viewing platform A rescue worker wearing a hi-vis red outfit approaches the man as he clings to the side of the tower's structure on Monday afternoon Dramatic pictures show the tricky rescue operation in progress as authorities on the ground confirmed they were negotiating with the man ‘Police are negotiating with the man who is in a very dangerous position. To avoid a long wait, we advise people to postpone their visit.’ Photos posted on social media suggested the man had got around two thirds of the way up the tower. While other photographs showed him nearly at the viewing deck. The esplanade underneath the monument was also evacuated. Police have made contact with the climber but do not yet know why he began his ascent via the iron beams, a police source told AFP. In October 2017 the tower was also evacuated after a young man ventured out on one of the beams and threatened to commit suicide, before police were able to convince him to come back. The so-called ‘Iron Lady’ welcomes more than six million visitors a year, but has been hit by repeated strikes by its 300-strong staff in recent years over issues ranging from pick-pocketing to maintenance work. It has also been beset with multiple security issues and last last year perimeter defences were placed around the monument to protect against terror threats. Rescue workers' vehicles underneath the Eiffel Tower on Monday as emergency services negotiated with the man Shocked tourists and locals watched on as the dramatic scenes unfolded in front of them on Monday afternoon A police officer looks up towards the incident after authorities set up a cordon around the tower to protect members of the public Monday's incident is not the first time a trespasser has attempted to climb the tower. In October 2017 the tower was also evacuated after a young man ventured out on one of the beams A rescue worker, left in red, climbs from the top of the tower to try and rescue the man from the enormous drop A photo posted on Snapchat (left) appeared to show the man clinging to the side of the tower. Right: Crowds being evacuated from the famous site Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility