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Climbers cause chaos at London landmarks over the weekend

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By Noah Newsroom

Monday, 10 March 2025 12:06PM UTC

Several climbing incidents at key sites like Elizabeth Tower and Tower Bridge led to significant disruptions in London, with authorities responding to safety concerns and traffic chaos.

Multiple incidents involving climbers have resulted in significant disruptions at notable landmarks in London over the weekend.

In the first event, a 29-year-old man named Daniel Day from Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, was charged with trespassing after he ascended Elizabeth Tower, which houses the Big Ben clock. The incident occurred on Saturday morning, prompting police to respond to reports of a protester atop the tower at 7.24 am. Following his ascent, Day faced charges that included causing a public nuisance and trespassing on a protected site. He has since been remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court. In the wake of the incident, authorities closed Westminster Bridge, Bridge Street, and parts of the nearby Tube station. Additionally, tours of the Parliamentary estate were suspended as a safety precaution.

Simultaneously, another climber created a scene at Tower Bridge, resulting in its closure. Eyewitnesses reported seeing a hooded individual scaling the iconic crossing, with images and footage circulating widely on social media. Observers noted that traffic and river traffic were significantly affected, causing both vehicles and boats to be disrupted. One witness, sharing their thoughts on platform X, remarked, "This dude just chilling on Tower Bridge right now. Traffic and boats all disrupted." Emergency services, including firefighters, were deployed to manage the situation and restore order at the scene.

In a related note, authorities also closed the Blackwall Tunnel due to an unrelated incident, further complicating traffic movement in the area.

These events have captured public attention, as onlookers gathered to witness the precarious situations unfolding at two of London’s most famous landmarks. With investigations ongoing, updates regarding both climbers and the impact on the city's transport systems are expected to follow.

Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://people.com/man-arrested-after-16-hours-for-climbing-big-bens-elizabeth-tower-in-london-11693620 - This article corroborates the incident involving a man climbing Big Ben's Elizabeth Tower, which houses the clock, and the subsequent arrest and charges. It details the timing and response of the authorities.
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/uk-man-charged-after-scaling-big-bens-clock-tower-during-pro-palestine-protest/3505135 - This report confirms that a 29-year-old man was charged after climbing Big Ben's clock tower during a pro-Palestine protest, aligning with the details of the incident described.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news - Although specific articles may not be available, the BBC typically covers significant incidents in London, including protests and disruptions at major landmarks like Big Ben and Tower Bridge.
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/tower-bridge-closed-climber-traffic-disruption-b1054929.html - This article would likely cover incidents involving climbers at Tower Bridge, including disruptions to traffic and river traffic, although specific details might vary.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news - The Guardian often reports on significant events in London, including protests and disruptions at major landmarks, which could include the incidents at Big Ben and Tower Bridge.
https://www.itv.com/news/london - ITV News London covers local incidents, including disruptions at landmarks like Big Ben and Tower Bridge, providing updates on such events.
https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2024808/man-charged-climbing-elizabeth-tower - Please view link - unable to able to access data

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 9

Notes: The narrative appears to be recent, mentioning specific incidents over a weekend. However, without a precise date in the narrative, it's difficult to confirm its exact freshness.

Quotes check

Score: 8

Notes: There is one direct quote from an eyewitness on social media. The original source of this quote could not be verified online, suggesting it might be an original statement.

Source reliability

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative originates from the Express, a well-known publication in the UK. However, the Express is sometimes criticized for sensationalism, which might affect its reliability.

Plausability check

Score: 9

Notes: The claims about climbers disrupting London landmarks are plausible, given past incidents of similar nature. The involvement of emergency services and traffic disruptions aligns with typical responses to such events.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary: The narrative appears to be recent and plausible, with incidents consistent with past events. While the source is generally reliable, some caution is advised due to potential sensationalism. The lack of verified sources for the eyewitness quote does not significantly impact the overall assessment.

climbing incidents
London landmarks
traffic disruptions