PHOTO Fighter jets escorted the aircraft with which Nicușor Dan returned from France: “A gesture of appreciation”

President Nicușor Dan, who returned to Romania from Paris with a delay of 24 hours, announced that the Spartan aircraft on his way to Bucharest was escorted by two F-18 planes while he was in Swiss airspace, the head of state saying that it was a gesture of appreciation of the Swiss authorities for the help provided after the Crans Montana tragedy.

“We arrived in Bucharest. During the flight, above the airspace of Switzerland, our aircraft was escorted by two F-18 planes, a gesture of appreciation for the support given in the international transport of the victims of the fire in Crans-Montana”, wrote the president Nicușor Dan, in a post on Facebook.

The support mentioned by Nicușor Dan refers to the Romanian military aircraft that transported, from Lausanne to Paris, six young people who suffered serious burns following the fire in Crans-Montana.

“Following the decision of the CNSU (National Committee for Emergency Situations – ed.), an aircraft is being prepared that will take off to Lausanne, from where it will transport to hospitals in Paris six young people with serious burns, injured in last night's fire in Switzerland, as part of the international support that Romania is giving to Switzerland in this situation”, announced the Minister of Defense, Radu Miruță, on January 2, in a post on Facebook.

Miruță also says that the Army offers support, “without asking who pays the expenses, or whether or not money was provided in the budget. Because in such moments there are no more borders, budgets or functions. There are only people who help other people.”

“Approximately 40 people” died in a massive New Year's Eve fire at the Le Constellation bar in the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana, according to an announcement made on January 1 by Swiss authorities.

The president was supposed to return to Bucharest on Tuesday evening, after the meeting of the Coalition of the Will in Paris, but the takeoff was delayed twice, as it snowed heavily and the runway was covered with snow. On Wednesday afternoon the weather conditions improved and the Spartan plane was able to take off.