World leaders&#039; reactions around the tragedy that struck the Notre Dame Cathedral

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photo source: ultimele-stiri.eu

Posted by: Cornelia Stefoglu

News / International

16 Apr. 2019 / 07:50

World leaders' reactions around the tragedy that struck the Notre Dame Cathedral

Leaders from around the world as well as regular Parisians reacted to the devastating fire that destroyed part of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, informs France 24, quoted by Mediafax.

Thousands of tourists and Parisians gathered on both sides of the Seine on Monday night, while Notre-Dame Cathedral, one of the largest tourist attractions in the French capital and one of France's main symbols, was consumed by flames. Along the Pont au Change Bridge, which connects Ile de la Cité to the right bank of the Seine, dozens of people sang Ave Maria.

"Paris is disfigured," this city will never be like before", " it's a tragedy," most of the people said.

But not only ordinary citizens reacted to the fire that almost destroyed Notre-Dame. Mayor of Paris, Anne Hildalgo, said that "all Parisians and all the French people are in mourning for this emblem of our history."

Solidarity messages have also emerged rapidly from leaders around the world. "Notre-Dame belongs to all humanity. He inspired writers, painters, philosophers and visitors all over the world," said the President of European Commission Jean Claude Juncker.

"I am terrified of the images of Paris, with the flames of Notre-Dame Cathedral, a unique example of a World Heritage building that resisted since the XIV century. My thoughts turn to the people and the French Government," UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres wrote.

British Prime Minister Theresa May said her thoughts "go to the French people tonight," while Steffen Seibert, German Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman, said that the pictures with the cathedral were "painful" . "Notre-Dame is a symbol of France and of our European culture. We are with our French friends," he added.

US President Donald Trump described the fire as "horrible" and suggested that the firefighters use fire fighting aircrafts. The French authorities have announced shortly that such an intervention can not be achieved as it would endanger the building.

"We express our solidarity with the French Catholics and the citizens of Paris. We pray for the firefighters and for all who do their best to control the situation," the Vatican said, through a press release.

The President of the Republic of Moldova, Igor Dodon, sent words with compassion and encouragement to France.

"I deeply regret the devastating fire that destroyed the famous Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris.

I send the sincere words of compassion and encouragement to President Emmanuel Macron and to the whole people of France and I hope that the specialists will be able to restore this pearl of French culture and world cultural heritage," wrote Igor Dodon on his Facebook account.

A fire broke out Monday night at the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, which was evacuated, sources from the intervention services quoted by Le Figaro daily. The fire broke out at 18:50 (19:50, Romania time) at the heating system of the Notre-Dame Cathedral.

The Notre-Dame Roman Catholic Cathedral in Paris, located in the 4th Arrondissement of the French capital, was built between 1163-1345 in the Gothic style. The cathedral is one of the emblematic monuments of Paris.

The danger of the fire at Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris has been eliminated, but it is still unclear how the building will resist, Laurent Nunez, state secretary of the French Interior Ministry, said this morning, quoted by AFP and Reuters. Radio Moldova reports.

The cause of the disaster is still unknown, and the authorities continue their investigation, he added.

The Chief Architect for Historical Monuments said that, in large part, the "treasure" is saved. Today there will be an inventory of the paintings of the chapels around the nave, which may have been blackened by smoke or water.

Also, the Savior's crown of thorns, an extremely important object for Catholics found at Notre Dame, was saved, the rector of the cathedral said. More than 400 firefighters intervened to quench the flames that wrecked the historic monument.

French President Emmanuel Macron said the Notre Dame would be rebuilt. "What's worse was avoided, even if the battle has not yet been fully won," the head of state said.

Listed in UNESCO's patrimony in 1991, Notre-Dame de Paris was a symbol of Gothic architecture, visited by up to 14 million tourists per year. The Patrimony Foundation launches today, April 16, a "national collection" for the reconstruction of the cathedral. Billionaire François-Henri Pinault, announced a donation of 100 million euros for the reconstruction of the cathedral.

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