Trump blasted after he tweeted: Use flying water tankers and act quickly!

DONALD Trump was criticised last night for suggesting ‘flying water tankers’ could have been used to put out the inferno.

The US President tweeted: ‘So horrible to watch the massive fire at Notre Dame in Paris. Perhaps flying water tankers could be used to put it out. Must act quickly!’

Fire experts said the President’s suggestion could worsen the situation – and endanger civilians. Wayne McPartland, who is retired from the New York City Fire Department, told CNBC: ‘If you hit that with tons of water from above, that’s going to collapse the entire structure and make the situation worse. If you miss, you might hit civilians.’

Other members of the Trump family were quick to offer their sympathies to the French. First Lady Melania said: ‘My heart breaks for the people of Paris.’ Mr Trump’s daughter Ivanka added: ‘A devastating sight. Praying for the safety of all.’

Social media users were also quick to take issue with Mr Trump’s comments, with some highlighting his previous threats to cut off emergency aid to California for wildfires.

In 2017, France’s civil security department announced it planned to replace the country’s ageing air tanker planes with six multirole Q400 Bombardier aircraft, capable of carrying 2, 00 gallons of water.

Meanwhile Prime Minister Theresa May sent her condolences, tweeting: ‘My thoughts are with the people of France tonight.’ A spokesman for Westminster Abbey added that clergy were ‘devastated for our friends’ at Notre Dame.