London's Tower Bridge is stuck open due to a technical fault

A technical fault has left world-famous London landmark Tower Bridge stuck open on Monday afternoon, with cars and pedestrians unable to cross.

(CNN) — A technical fault has left world-famous London landmark Tower Bridge stuck open on Monday afternoon, with cars and pedestrians unable to cross. City of London police confirmed in a tweet that the bridge was stuck due to "technical failure," while numerous pictures and videos posted on social media show the bascules stuck in an upright position after being opened to allow a tall ship to pass through. Bascules are the movable sections of road on the bridge that can be raised and lowered using counterweights. According to the Tower Bridge tourism website, the bridge opens about 800 times a year.