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

A property industry body has said the balconies – often on buildings that are more than 150 years old – may not be able to cope with the strain. Photograph: James O’Neil/Getty Images

Paris authorities are debating whether to order an inspection of the balconies and balustrades of thousands of 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 recently been raised at a regular preparatory meeting with police and city hall officials.