Prime Minister Viktor Orbán sent a message to the retired Syrian Melkite Archbishop of Aleppo after having received news reports regarding the fact that during last week’s earthquake, the building of the archbishop’s residence collapsed, a priest was killed and retired Archbishop Jean-Clément Jeanbart himself was transported to hospital with severe injuries, Bertalan Havasi, the Prime Minister’s press chief informed the Hungarian news agency MTI.

Mr Orbán wrote to the church leader: he learnt about what had happened with deep concern, and was much relieved to find out from subsequent news reports that the archbishop was no longer in a life-threatening condition.

The Prime Minister recalled Jean-Clément Jeanbart’s visit to Budapest in 2017 of which, he wrote, he has fond memories.

Mr Orbán reassured the Syrian Melkite church leader that Hungary stands with their community also during the present severe trials.

The Hungarian government will do everything it can to provide help to survive and to start again. We remember the victims with respect, and are praying for those who have lost loved ones and their homes, the Prime Minister wrote.