Jerusalem Municipality Orders Urgent Inspections of Pre‑1980 Balconies

A balcony collapse in Jerusalem's Sha'ar HaChesed and Rehavia neighborhoods, which killed an 80‑year‑old man and injured three others, prompted the city’s Department of Dangerous Buildings to issue an emergency safety notice. The municipality urged owners and occupants of residential buildings constructed up to 1980 to have all cantilever (consol) balconies inspected by a licensed engineer without delay.

The notice cites Israeli law (1980 Building Safety Ordinance) and engineering standards, placing responsibility for proper maintenance on property owners. Engineers must examine the structural system, anchorage to the building, concrete condition, corrosion, cracks, and load‑bearing capacity. Early detection and repair are emphasized to prevent further collapses and protect residents and the public.