Man scales Nantes tower, unfurls flags, calls rescuers in panic

A 45-year-old man scaled Nantes' tallest building, the 144-meter Tour Bretagne, early Tuesday morning, unfurling flags of various nations as he ascended.

The man, who is unemployed and has a prior record for insulting a public official, began his climb up the west facade around 6 a.m. He strategically placed flags from countries including Palestine, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Belgium, Venezuela, Madagascar, Mexico, the United States, Ethiopia, Switzerland, and Monaco on different floors. The building, constructed in 1976, has been closed since 2020 due to asbestos.

As he neared the 32nd and final floor, the climber reportedly experienced panic and contacted emergency services for assistance. Rescue teams specializing in high-angle environments were dispatched and successfully brought the man down safely. Police were also present at the scene.

His motives for the daring climb and flag display remain unexplained. The Tour Bretagne is slated for a major rehabilitation project, expected to be completed by 2029, which will transform it into a mixed-use space including housing, a hotel, restaurants, shops, and offices.