Paris:  Paris police evacuated the Eiffel Tower late Tuesday after an anonymous caller said a bomb had been placed on the popular tourist attraction, France Info radio reported.

Some 2,500 people were on the tower and on the Champs de Mars, the green area surrounding it, when the alert was given. They were all taken outside a broad security area established by Paris police.

Police said that the call was made about 1830 GMT to the company that manages the Eiffel Tower, which was visited by 6.6 million people in 2009.

A station for suburban trains near the Notre Dame Cathedral in central Paris was also evacuated briefly late Tuesday due to a bomb scare by an anonymous caller, BFM television reported.

It was not immediately known if the bomb scares were related to the French Senate`s approval earlier Tuesday of a ban on wearing the Islamic all-body veil in all public areas. The ban, which foresees a fine of 150 euros ($192) on anyone appearing in public with his or her face concealed, is to become law early next year.


BDST: 1115 HRS, September 15, 2010