Notre-Dame Cathedral Fire 2 Years Later... Macron: "Restoration Goal Must Be Achieved by 2024"

French President Emmanuel Macron is inspecting the restoration site of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris on the 15th (local time). [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] It has been exactly two years since a massive fire broke out at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, France, on the 15th (local time), and President Emmanuel Macron visited the restoration site to check on the progress.

According to the AP News Agency, President Macron visited the Notre-Dame Cathedral restoration site that morning to encourage the construction workers. Wearing a mask, safety helmet, and protective clothing, President Macron toured the rooftop of Notre-Dame Cathedral along with Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo and others.

The French government has set a goal to restore Notre-Dame Cathedral by 2024, when the Paris Summer Olympics will be held. President Macron expressed his gratitude to the workers on site and said, "From now on, we must achieve the goal within three years."

However, whether the goal can actually be achieved remains uncertain. Experts say that restoration work is slowing down due to various factors such as COVID-19 and the spread of a significant amount of toxic lead in the vicinity, and they predict that it will be difficult to complete the construction by 2024. Accordingly, there is growing speculation that the French government may at least open some areas to the public.

J?r?my Patriar, spokesperson for the Retus Notre-Dame Reconstruction Advisory Committee, said, "The goal is to return Notre-Dame Cathedral to the faithful by 2024," adding, "This means that Mass can be held in 2024."

The cause of the Notre-Dame Cathedral fire has still not been determined. Although the possibility of arson or other crimes has been ruled out, it remains unclear whether the fire started from a cigarette butt or an electrical wiring malfunction. Investigators have recently completed most of the on-site investigation and are analyzing debris samples collected from the suspected fire origin point.