Authorities are investigating the possibility that the fire at Notre Dame de Paris was caused by a short circuit. According to CNN, citing judicial sources, this possibility so far can not be ruled out, while so far at least 40 employees who worked at the monument have been examined.
The police stressed that although they do not rule out any possibility, so far it does not appear that this is a criminal act.
At the same time, the French authorities banned the "Yellow Vests", who have been protesting in Paris every Saturday since mid-November, from approaching Notre Dame Cathedral. According to a statement issued by the police, the ban will apply throughout the day on Saturday, not only for Ile de la Cite, the island of Seine where the temple is located, but also for the wider area. The decision was made for security reasons, but also to protect the Notre Dame de Paris after the fire that broke out on Monday.
Police also noted that in recent days there has been an appeal to start the rally or to end the procession of the Yellow Vests from this area. Protests in and around the Champs Elysees have also been banned for weeks following the violence and shoplifting.
- With information from cnn.com, ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ.