ZAGREB, April 16, 2019 - Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković on Monday evening expressed solidarity with the French people following a massive fire that consumed Notre Dame, a Paris landmark and UNESCO World Heritage site.
"It was with deep sadness that we followed the horrible fire at Notre-Dame Cathedral, a monument of world heritage and a symbol of France, of European culture and our Christian heritage. Tonight, we all feel solidarity with the French people," Plenković wrote on Twitter.
France was stunned by the fire that broke out at the cathedral in the early evening, bursting rapidly through the roof and engulfing the spire, which toppled, quickly followed by the entire roof.
After burning for about 8 hours, the fire was largely extinguished by 0300 CET on Tuesday, said Reuters.
The cathedral's main stone structure had escaped complete destruction by the time the fire came under control.
Earlier, in addition to battling to prevent one of the main bell towers from collapsing, firefighters tried to rescue religious relics and priceless artwork. One firefighter was seriously injured - the only reported casualty.
World leaders expressed shock and sent condolences to the French people. The Paris prosecutor's office said it had launched an inquiry into the fire. Several police sources said they were working on the assumption for now that the fire was accidental, according to Reuters.
More news on relations between Croatia and France can be found in the Politics section.
