Pope Francis expresses his “deep sadness” for the tragedy in India that left more than 250 dead

He Pope Francisco expressed his “deep sadness” over Friday’s rail accident in the Indiathe worst in the XXI century in the Asian country, which has left at least 261 dead and 900 injured.

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“He Pope Francisco It is with deep sadness that the news of the immense loss of life caused by the train accident in the state of odishaand transfers to all those affected by this tragedy their spiritual closeness “indicated the Holy See In a telegram addressed to Archbishop Leopoldo Girelliapostolic nuncio in India.

In the message, sent by the Secretary of State, Pietro ParolínFrancisco wanted to send his “heartfelt condolences” to those who mourn the loss.

“His Holiness also offers prayers for the many injured and for the efforts of the personnel of the emergency servicesand invoke upon them the divine gifts of courage and consolation.”he added.

Pope Francis speaks during an audience with pilgrims from Concesio and Sotto il Monte, June 3, 2023, at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. (Photo by Tiziana FABI / AFP) (TIZIANA FABI /)

The authorities of the India raised to 261 this Saturday the number of deaths in the worst railway accident in two decades in the Asian country, which has also left 900 injured when three trains collided last Friday in the eastern state of odisha.

The accident occurred when a first passenger train that covered the route between the cities of Shalimarin calcuttaand Chennaiin the southern state of Tamil Naduderailed, whereupon a second train moving from yeswanthpurin Bangalore, to Howrah, in Calcutta, collided with it.

A third freight train was also involved, although authorities have launched an investigation and they have not clarified for the moment the reason for the event.

This is the worst rail accident suffered by the India in more than two decades, after in August 1999 the collision of two trains in the northeastern state of west bengal left 288 dead. Some 800 people died in 1981 when a train derailed while crossing a bridge and plunged into a river in the northern state of Bihar.

Source: Elcomercio