Photos: The Devastation of Notre-Dame Cathedral

Alan Taylor
Apr 15, 2019
16 Photos
In Focus

Earlier today, smoke was observed billowing from the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral, in central Paris; it was undergoing renovation work. The smoke grew and was followed by flames, which consumed the roof and caused the central spire of the cathedral to collapse. The gothic cathedral is visited by millions of tourists and locals every year. Authorities report no injuries or deaths at the moment, and have tentatively linked the fire to the renovations, which were due to have been completed in 2022. Below, some images of the disaster, and a handful of images from inside Notre-Dame before the fire.

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Smoke and flames rise during a fire at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral, in central Paris, on April 15, 2019. #

Francois Guillot / AFP / Getty

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Before the fire: This photograph taken on June 26, 2018, shows the transept of Notre-Dame Cathedral. #

Ludovic Marin / AFP / Getty

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On June 26, 2018, workers measure a wall as they start the restoration work on ancient, damaged wood and stone parts of Notre-Dame Cathedral. #

Ludovic Marin / AFP / Getty

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On June 26, 2018, worshippers arrive to take part in a mass at Notre-Dame Cathedral. #

Ludovic Marin / AFP / Getty

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A religious statue is removed from the spire of Notre-Dame cathedral by a crane before restoration work on April 11, 2019. Sixteen statues around the spire were removed to be restored, before renovation work on the spire that was due to last until 2022. #

Chesnot / Getty

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On April 15, 2019, smoke ascends as flames rise during a fire at the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral. #

Francois Guillot / AFP / Getty

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Flames burn the roof of the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral on April 15, 2019. #

Francois Guillot / AFP / Getty

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Smoke and flames rise from Notre-Dame Cathedral on April 15, 2019. #

Hubert Hitier / AFP / Getty

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The steeple of Notre-Dame Cathedral collapses as the cathedral is engulfed in flames in central Paris on April 15, 2019. #

Geoffroy Van Der Hasselt / AFP / Getty

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Flames and smoke are seen billowing from the roof at Notre-Dame Cathedral on April 15, 2019. #

Patrick Anidjar / AFP / Getty

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Smoke billows from Notre-Dame Cathedral after a fire broke out on April 15, 2019. #

Charles Platiau / Reuters

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Smoke billows near scaffolding as fire engulfs the spire of Notre-Dame Cathedral on April 15, 2019. #

Benoit Tessier / Reuters

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Flames and smoke are seen billowing from the roof of Notre-Dame Cathedral on April 15, 2019. #

Patrick Anidjar / AFP / Getty

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People watch from a bridge as smoke billows from Notre-Dame Cathedral during a fire on April 15, 2019. #

Benoit Tessier / Reuters

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Flames rise from Notre-Dame Cathedral as it burns in Paris on April 15, 2019. #

Thibault Camus / AP

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A man watches the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral burn in central Paris on April 15, 2019. #

Geoffroy Van Der Hasselt / AFP / Getty

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