France and the whole world are in shock: just before 19 pm on Monday 15 April, a fire broke out inside the Notre-Dame cathedral, a symbol of Paris and the second most visited church in Europe after St. Peter's with 12 million of visitors per year. There are no victims, but the devastating fire, whose images immediately went around the world, it collapsed the spire and part of the roof: Firefighters in the French capital had to fight the flames for four hours before putting them down. However, the balance is terrible: the two main towers were saved, but according to reports from the French press two-thirds of the cathedral has been destroyed. The causes of the fire are still being investigated, but they would be linked to a short circuit during maintenance work, which began a year ago and cost 60 million euros, 2 of which were insured by the state and the rest procured by the Foundation. “The building is safe”, have however guaranteed the Fire Brigade of the French capital.
“We will rebuild Notre Dame”, said President Emmanuel Macron in the evening, visibly moved during a live broadcast from the Ile de La Cité, in the heart of Paris, where the cathedral built in the XNUMXth century stands and which was already hit by a fire, but smaller in size. "We will appeal to the greatest talents - said the transalpine president - and we will rebuild the cathedral, because this is what the French want, this is what our history deserves, this is our profound destiny". Macron has said he intends to immediately launch a major national subscription campaign, to find the funds necessary for a reconstruction that in any case promises to be long and not easy, waiting to take a precise picture of the damage. “Notre Dame – added the head of the Elysée – is our history, our literature. It is the epicenter of our life, it is the cathedral of all French people”.
Solidarity from all over the world arrived immediately, after the tragedy that struck a work of humanity heritage and visited by 12 million tourists every year. “I am following with anguish the news of the fire which is devastating the cathedral of Notre Dame in these hours, a historical treasure which over the centuries has guarded an exceptional artistic heritage of immense significance for France, for Europe and for the culture of the world. In these dramatic hours the whole of Italy embraces the French people with sincere friendship and lively participation”, is the text sent by President Sergio Mattarella to Macron. “Our thoughts – continued the Italian Head of State – go to those who are working at all levels in these hours to tame the flames and preserve, as far as possible, this extraordinary symbol of Paris. May the expressions of solidarity of all Italians and my personal one reach you, Mr. President".
Solidarity with France also came from other Italian political leaders and by US President Donald Trumpas well as Chancellor Angela Merkel and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.
