16/10/2018 (Agence Europe) – In solidarity with France, the European Commission announced on Tuesday 16 October that the European Union was coming to the country's aid by sending very precise satellite images of the damage in the French departments of Hérault and Aude. As soon as it learned of this disaster, the Commission activated the EU Copernicus programme of emergency satellite mapping, at the request of the French authorities. "Our thoughts are with the victims and with all those affected by these events", European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides stated. In a press release, he says that the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) is monitoring the situation closely and that the "the EU is ready to provide further assistance", if a request is made via the EU civil protection mechanism. (AN)