Prince Albert II of Monaco has sent a message of support to the President of the Executive Council of Corsica following devasting storms that hit the island.
In a message sent to President Gilles Simeoni, Prince Albert wrote: “Mr President, Together with my family and the people of the Principality of Monaco, I would like to express our deepest sympathy for the tragic consequences of the violent storms that have hit Corsica. On this painful occasion, I would like to express my deepest condolences to you and to the families of the victims, to the injured and to all those affected by this tragedy, my deepest sympathy. I would also like to pay tribute to the work carried out by all the personnel mobilised to help with the rescue operations in the towns and villages and assure you of my solidarity.”
A violent storm struck Corsica, an island in the Mediterranean Ocean between France and Italy, on 18 August, leaving six people dead and further people injured.
According to weather reports, the island suffered winds that peaked at 224 kilometres per hour while also being hit by heavy rain and hail. Around 350 people were reported missing after boats in the harbours capsized, but reports indicate that all were later found.
Simeoni later made a statement saying: “For three days, it was a time for solidarity, for compassion, now must come the time for analysis, analysis of the alert procedures and on the merits of the issues of climate change.”
French President Emmanuel Macron convened an executive panel via video call to discuss ways to help Corsica and said during the meeting, “I want to start expressing all our support for Corsica and the Corsicans following the extremely violent storms last night and at the start of the day,” and noted that the panel would work together “to be able to take the right decisions over the next few hours and days.”
