Condolences poured in from leaders all over the world after a deadly railway accident in the eastern Indian state of Odisha involving three trains on Friday (2) resulted in deaths of at least 288 people and injury to more than 900.
While some of India's top leaders, including prime minister Narendra Modi, visited on Saturday (3) the site and hospitals where the injured received treatment and the Indian Railways launched a high-level probe into the accident, one of the deadliest in its long history, leaders of several countries expressed grief.
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Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida, who recently met Modi at the G7 summit in Hiroshima, in his condolence message to his Indian counterpart, said, "I am deeply saddened by the news of the loss of many precious lives and the injuries in the train accident in the State of Odisha. On behalf of the Government of Japan and people, I would like to express our heartfelt condolences to those who lost their lives and their bereaved families. I also pray for the speedy recovery of those who were injured."
Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, said in a message to his Indian counterpart Droupadi Murmu and PM Modi, “We share the grief of those who lost their loved ones in this tragic accident and wish a speedy recovery for those injured."
Denis Alipov, Russia's ambassador to India, said in a tweet, "Deepest condolences to the families of the victims of the tragic train derailment in Odisha. Speedy recovery to the injured."
Nepali prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', who is currently in India for an official visit, offered his "deep condolences" in "this hour of grief".
US state department spokesman Vedant Patel said, "Our thoughts are with the people of India at this time."
Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau said in a tweet, "The images and reports of the train crash in Odisha, India break my heart. I’m sending my deepest condolences to those who lost loved ones, and I’m keeping the injured in my thoughts. At this difficult time, Canadians are standing with the people of India."
UN General Assembly president Csaba Korosi tweeted expressing his deepest condolences to the families, "I'm deeply saddened to hear the news of the train crash in Odisha, India. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and with the emergency services. Heartfelt condolences to the people and the Government of India."
UK's foreign secretary James Cleverly said, "Tragic news of the train crash in India. My heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. My thought are with the survivors and emergency services."
Australian foreign minister Penny Wong said her thoughts were with the people of India.
"We send our deepest sympathies following the devastating train crash in India's eastern Odisha state. Our thoughts are also with the many injured, and with the emergency personnel working to assist them," she said in a tweet.
Sri Lankan foreign minister Ali Sabry said, "Deeply saddened to learn of the tragic train accident in Odisha. My thoughts & prayers are with the families of the victims & those injured. I hope for a speedy recovery for all those affected. Sri Lanka stands with India in this time of grief."
Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen said, "Praying for everyone affected by the train accident in India. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families, and hope that rescue operations can save all those in need."
Pakistani prime minister Shehbaz Sharif and the foreign ministry of Taliban-ruled Afghanistan also extended their condolences over the accident.
