'We will rebuild Notre-Dame together', vows France's President Macron
French president Emmanuel Macron has vowed that the French people will rebuild their iconic Notre-Dame cathedral after it was engulfed in flames.
"We will rebuild Notre-Dame", an emotional French President Emmanuel Macron vowed on Monday evening as he visited the famed Paris cathedral which was ravaged by fire.
"Nous ferons appel aux plus grands talents qui viendront nous y aider. Nous rebâtirons Notre-Dame. C'est ce que les Français attendent, c'est ce que les Français méritent", a réagi Emmanuel Macron après l'incendie de la cathédrale pic.twitter.com/CbUBZE7pOr
— franceinfo (@franceinfo) 15 April 2019
With tears in his eyes Macron said that "the worst has been avoided" thanks to the work of firefighters who saved the cathedral's two towers and facade and vowed to draw on "the best talent" to rebuild the rest.
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FULL STORY Cathedral's main structure saved thanks to heroic efforts from firefighters
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VIDEO Watch the moment the Notre-Dame spires collapses into the flames
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WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR How did the fire start?
People flocked to the Seine to watch as firefighters battled the flames. Photo: AFP
He announced that an international fundraising campaign is to be launched on Tuesday.
He vowed to draw on "the best talent" to rebuild what had been destroyed.
"What happened tonight in Paris and at Notre-Dame Cathedral is a terrible tragedy," Macron said.
"The worst was avoided even if the battle has not been completely won yet and the next few hours will be difficult."
The 41-year-old president described the 850-year-old monument at the heart of Paris as "the epicentre of our life" and the cathedral of "all the French", whether religious or not.
He said that "starting tomorrow" he would launch an international appeal for the restoration of the beloved church.
"And we will rebuild Notre-Dame because it is what the French expect," he said, flanked by Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo and Paris Archbishop Michel Aupetit.
He was speaking shortly after fire chiefs announced that the main structure of the cathedral had been saved, although the roof was almost totally destroyed and the spire collapsed.
Firefighters will remain at the scene overnight to get the blaze fully under control, and when the building is safe to enter an investigation into the cause of the fire will begin.
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"We will rebuild Notre-Dame", an emotional French President Emmanuel Macron vowed on Monday evening as he visited the famed Paris cathedral which was ravaged by fire.
"Nous ferons appel aux plus grands talents qui viendront nous y aider. Nous rebâtirons Notre-Dame. C'est ce que les Français attendent, c'est ce que les Français méritent", a réagi Emmanuel Macron après l'incendie de la cathédrale pic.twitter.com/CbUBZE7pOr
— franceinfo (@franceinfo) 15 April 2019
With tears in his eyes Macron said that "the worst has been avoided" thanks to the work of firefighters who saved the cathedral's two towers and facade and vowed to draw on "the best talent" to rebuild the rest.
- FULL STORY Cathedral's main structure saved thanks to heroic efforts from firefighters
- VIDEO Watch the moment the Notre-Dame spires collapses into the flames
- WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR How did the fire start?
People flocked to the Seine to watch as firefighters battled the flames. Photo: AFP
He announced that an international fundraising campaign is to be launched on Tuesday.
He vowed to draw on "the best talent" to rebuild what had been destroyed.
"What happened tonight in Paris and at Notre-Dame Cathedral is a terrible tragedy," Macron said.
"The worst was avoided even if the battle has not been completely won yet and the next few hours will be difficult."
The 41-year-old president described the 850-year-old monument at the heart of Paris as "the epicentre of our life" and the cathedral of "all the French", whether religious or not.
He said that "starting tomorrow" he would launch an international appeal for the restoration of the beloved church.
"And we will rebuild Notre-Dame because it is what the French expect," he said, flanked by Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo and Paris Archbishop Michel Aupetit.
He was speaking shortly after fire chiefs announced that the main structure of the cathedral had been saved, although the roof was almost totally destroyed and the spire collapsed.
Firefighters will remain at the scene overnight to get the blaze fully under control, and when the building is safe to enter an investigation into the cause of the fire will begin.
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