RAMPEN
Brand verwoest de Notre-Dame
April 16, 2019 - Een grote brand heeft de middeleeuwse kathedraal de Notre Dame in Parijs, een van Frankrijks beroemdste bezienswaardigheden, verwoest.
The 850-year-old Gothic building's spire and roof have collapsed but the main structure, including the two bell towers, has been saved, officials say.
The cause of the fire is not yet clear, but officials say it could be linked to the renovation work that began after cracks appeared in the stone.
Sixteen statues that were part of Notre Dame’s now destroyed spire are safe and unscathed after being removed as part of a renovation just days ago.
The $6.8m renovation project marked the first time the statues had been removed in over a century, according to the Associated Press.
The last time the cathedral suffered major damage was during the French Revolution.