Ageing Paris balconies ‘pose risk to crowds watching Olympics opening ceremony’

Authorities consider inspection of all buildings lining the River Seine route after property warnings

Paris authorities are debating whether to order an inspection of the balconies and balustrades of all buildings lining the River Seine amid warnings they could collapse under the weight of spectators watching the Olympics opening ceremony this summer.

It's clearly a scenario that could happen," Olivier Princivalle of the property professionals' association FNAIM told Agence France-Presse, adding that the topic had been raised at a regular preparatory meeting with police and city hall officials.