Amsterdam's popular mayor Eberhard van der Laan, widely seen as the embodiment of the Dutch capital's reputation for tolerance, has died of lung cancer aged 62, the city announced Friday. Condolences poured in throughout the day with European Commission chairman Jean-Claude Juncker calling Van der Laan an "incredible friend of Europe" after learning of his death.
"Mayor Van der Laan died last night of lung cancer. We mourn the loss of a beloved mayor and send condolences to his family and friends," the city of Amsterdam said in a statement. Van der Laan, who became mayor in 2010, revealed in January that he had been diagnosed with lung cancer. "Although time will tell there is little reason for optimism," he said in a public letter. Despite his illness, he continued working until mid-September.
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