Following the massive fire that engulfed at the iconic Notre-Dame Cathedral, French billionaire Francois-Henri Pinault has pledged 100 million euros (Rs 784cr) towards the rebuilding of the iconic building in Paris, which was partly gutted by a devastating fire.
In a statement to newswire AFP the CEO of the Kering group, which owns brands like Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent fashion houses, said the money towards “the effort necessary to completely rebuild Notre-Dame” would be paid by the Pinault family’s investment firm Artemis.
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Meanwhile, France President Emmanuel Macron expressed grief over the incident and said, “like all our fellow citizens, I’m sad tonight to see this part of us burn”. He also cancelled his plan to address the nation following the incident.
“Notre Dame of Paris in flames. Emotion for a whole nation. Thoughts for all Catholics and for all French. Like all our countrymen, I’m sad tonight to see this part of us burn,” Macron tweeted.
According to reports, precious artwork held within the Notre Dame Cathedral is being evacuated.
Speaking to reporters here, Laurent Nunez, the French Secretary to the Interior Minister said that both of the cathedral’s towers are safe as the “fire is now weaker.”