LISBON, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Portuguese President Rebelo de Sousa and Prime Minister Antonio Costa on Monday respectively sent their heartfelt condolences to French President Emmanuel Macron after a fire ravaged the world-famous Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.

The fire engulfed the Notre Dame, hurt the heart and soul of the people, because the cathedral was a major symbol of the human imagination, said the president in a message, published in the portal of the Presidency of the Republic on the Internet.

"It is a tragedy for the French people, for the Europeans and even for all the world," he added.

Prime Minister Antonio Costa also conveyed messages of solidarity for the "terrible fire" to the French president.

"I have just expressed my solidarity with French President Emmanuel Macron and the mayor of the city, Anne Hidalgo, for the terrible fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. A part of our European history disappears under the flames," wrote Antonio Costa on the social network Twitter.

The fire at the Notre Dame on Monday afternoon destroyed the spire of the 850-year-old historical cathedral.