Blades of Paris landmark Moulin Rouge windmill collapse
The blades of the Moulin Rouge windmill, one of the most famous landmarks in Paris, collapsed overnight Thursday, just months before the French capital hosts the Olympics.
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There was no risk of further collapse, Paris firefighters said. The reason for the accident was not yet known.
"Fortunately this happened after closing," a Moulin Rouge official told AFP on the condition of anonymity.
"Every week, the cabaret's technical teams check the windmill mechanism and did not note any problems," the source added.
It's the first time that an accident like this has happened since the cabaret first opened its doors on 6 October, 1889.
Images on social media showed the blade unit lying on the street below, with some of the blades slightly bent from the apparent fall.
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Concerns
The Moulin Rouge cabaret, with its distinctive red windmill blades, is located in northern Paris and is one of the most visited landmarks in the city.
Known as the birthplace of the modern dance form the cancan, it opened its doors in October 1889 at the foot of the Montmartre hill.
It quickly became a hit and a stop to look at its facade or catch a show inside is a must-do on most tourists' lists of things to do in the French capital.
The accident will add to concerns of whether Paris, one of the most visited cities in the world, is ready to host the thousands more that will descent during July-August for the Olympic Games.
The only serious accident the Moulin Rouge has endured was a fire that erupted during works in 1915, which forced the venue to close for nine years.
(with newswires)
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