Officials in Paris have opted to cancel the traditional open-air New Year’s Eve concert that was planned for December 31 on the Champs Élysées.

Sources shared how there are some serious security concerns linked to the gathering of large crowds and risks of major crowd movements and unrest. Instead of a huge live concert arising in front of the big crowds, the city will prepare to broadcast a pre-recorded performance on national television on this front. But with that being said, authorities did confirm that the fireworks over the Arc de Triomphe would still carry on at midnight.

The Prefecture of Police of Paris requested such a cancellation to arise, warning that it usually features a massive gathering that might pose some unpredictable dangers.

This famous avenue is not well-suited to handle such large, mobile crowds safely. Authorities continued to stress more on public safety and minimizing the potential for stampedes or clashes while making this decision.

This move has sparked serious debate, whereby some local leaders and commentators argued that it’s important to prevent such potential disorders from taking place.

Others called it so disappointing as the scaling back of a long-standing celebration on such an auspicious occasion.