Merkel says saddened by Notre Dame cathedral fire

BERLIN, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday has said she was deeply saddened by the Notre Dame cathedral fire in Paris.

Government spokesman Steffen Seibert tweeted on behalf of Merkel: "It hurts to see these horrible pictures of the burning Notre Dame. Notre Dame is a symbol of France and of our European culture. Our thoughts are with French friends."