A dramatic collapse of a pedestrian bridge over the Seine in central Paris turned out to be an elaborate art installation, prompting London tourism authorities to call for an urgent safety review of similar structures. The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon when a section of the Pont des Arts, famous for its love locks, suddenly and spectacularly gave way, sending dozens of tourists scrambling. Witnesses reported a loud tearing sound followed by a cloud of dust.
However, within minutes, it emerged that the collapse was a planned performance by the French artist collective 'Détournement Urbain', who had secretly fitted the bridge with a giant inflatable tube that mimicked a structural failure. The stunt, intended to highlight the fragility of modern infrastructure, was condemned by Paris city officials as a dangerous hoax. London tourism bosses, already wary of copycat incidents ahead of the summer season, have demanded that all pedestrian bridges in the capital be audited for security breaches.
'Tourists expect safety, not performance art that could cause a panic,' a spokesperson for VisitLondon said. The Metropolitan Police have confirmed they are liaising with French authorities about the legality of the stunt. The Pont des Arts has been closed indefinitely pending an investigation.
