PARIS — Security officials extinguished the Olympic torch for a second time amid heavy protests during the torch relay in Paris.

Police escorted the flame onto a bus, apparently to move it away from protesters.

The flame was being carried out of a Paris traffic tunnel by an athlete in a wheelchair when it was stopped because protesters booed and began chanting "Tibet."

It was the second time today officials extinguished the torch amid protests.

Paris is the latest stage in a global round of protests against China, with thousands of police deployed to protect the Olympic torch relay after chaos in London the day before.

About 500 protesters congregated at the Trocadero Square, which faces the Eiffel Tower, the relay's start-point. They carried signs reading "Save Tibet," and "Act fast, Tibet is dying." Across town, City Hall was draped with a banner reading, "Paris defends human rights around the world."

In London on Sunday, police repeatedly scuffled with protesters. One tried to grab the torch, while another tried to snuff out the flame with what appeared to be a fire extinguisher. Thirty-seven people were arrested.

Activists angry about China's human rights record and a recent crackdown on Tibet have been protesting along the torch route since the flame embarked on a 85,000-mile journey from Ancient Olympia in Greece to Beijing for the Aug. 8-24 Olympic Games.

Australia, which hosts the torch on April 24, announced it changed the route for the relay through its capital.