EIFFEL TOWER CLOSED

PARIS, SEPTEMBER 7 /SRNA/ - The Eiffel Tower in Paris was closed to visitors today after staff went on strike over management's decision to remove female employees from duty during the weekend and leave only male staff working.

The French daily Le Parisien reported, citing employees, that the strike was prompted by an incident over the weekend in which female staff were asked to leave the third floor of the landmark at the request of around 100 members of a Hindu religious group.

According to the newspaper, the group was accompanied by male staff only during its visit.

A statement published on the Eiffel Tower's website said that the site was closed for operational reasons.

The incident sparked outrage in Paris, and Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire supported the protest by Eiffel Tower staff.

It is not known when the tower will reopen to the public.