French President promises to rebuild fire-ravaged Notre-Dame cathedral

Paris (TAN): French President Emmanuel Macron has vowed to rebuild the 850-year-old Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris that was ravaged by a massive fire on Monday evening.

The fire brought down the world-famous cathedral’s spire crashing to the ground as onlookers watched aghast.

“This Notre-Dame Cathedral, we will rebuild it. All together. This is part of our French destiny. I am committed to this: from tomorrow a national subscription will be launched, and far beyond our borders,” President Macron, who visited the site, tweeted in French.

Earlier, he had referred to the event as a “great emotion for the whole nation”.

“Our thoughts go out to all Catholics and to the French people. Like all of my fellow citizens, I am sad to see this part of us burn tonight,” the President had said late on Monday night.

Considered among the finest examples of French Gothic architecture, the Catholic church is visited by thousands every week.

Pictures and videos on social media last night showed thick gray plumes of smoke emanating from the church and the spire completely engulfed in flames.

Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo thanked the police and municipal agents and said many important works of the Notre-Dame, a Unesco World Heritage structure, has been saved because of their efforts.

“The Crown of thorns, the tunic of Saint Louis and several other major works are now in a safe place,” she said.

French billionaire François-Henri Pinault, who is actor Salma Hayek’s husband, has promised to donate EUR 100 million for the restoration of Notre Dame.