PARIS, May 22 (UPI) -- The Eiffel Tower in Paris closed Friday due to a walkout by its staff, protesting harassment by gangs of pickpockets in the area.
The iconic Paris landmark, a favorite of tourists for its view from the top of the 1,063-foot tower, is a haven for pickpockets who harass employees and prey on the seven million tourists who visit annually. The area surrounding the tower has become a lure for those who target tourists, particularly tourists from Asia.