Several world leaders have expressed their grief and extended support to India following the tragic train accident in Odisha’s Balasore on Friday, June 2nd, which killed 261 and wounded over 900.
Leaders of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Canada, China, Iran, Italy, Japan, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Türkiye, etc, have expressed their deepest condolences to the bereaved family members of the victims.
“The ministry of foreign affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is saddened by the train collision in eastern Odisha state of the Republic of India that has left hundreds dead and injured. MoFa sympathies with the bereaved families of the victims and the injured”, Afghanistan’s Taliban government’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
The Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata expressed condolences to the bereaved family members of the victims of Friday’s train accident in Odisha. The Deputy High Commission also wished a speedy recovery to all those who suffered injuries in the accident.
“Sending prayers to @narendramodi and the people of India as we hear developments of the tragic train crash in Odisha. May the loved ones find strength, as they come to terms with the loss and horror. We share your pain and pray for quick healing”, Bhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Shering tweeted.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted, “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.”
Chinese President Xi Jinping sent separate condolence messages to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Draupadi Murmu. Xi said in his message that he was shocked to learn of the accident which caused heavy casualties. On behalf of the Chinese government and people, he expressed deep condolences to the victims, offered sincere sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured, and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang also sent a separate condolence message to Modi expressing his grief and wished the speedy recovery of those wounded in the tragic incident.
Iranian Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson Nasser Kan’ani extended a condolence message expressing sorrow over the loss of lives. Kan’ani conveyed Iran’s sympathy not just to the Indian government, but also to the people of India and, most importantly, to the bereaved families of the victims.
“The Italian Government expresses deep condolences to #India for the tragic train accident that occurred today in Balasore. A prayer for the victims and the injured, I hope that those still trapped will be rescued”, Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani tweeted.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida tweeted, “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 its 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.”
“I am deeply saddened by the news of the loss of many precious lives in the train accident in the State of Odisha. I pray for the souls of the victims and extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved families. I also sincerely hope that those who were injured will recover swiftly”, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi reportedly stated in a condolence message sent to India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.
Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias Prachanda, who is on a four-day visit in India, expressed his grief over the tragic incident. “I’m saddened by the loss of dozens of lives in a train accident in Odisha, India, today. I extend deep condolences to Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji, Government, and the bereaved families in this hour of grief”, Prachanda tweeted.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended condolences to the families of the victims. “Deeply saddened by the loss of hundreds of lives in a train accident in India. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families who lost their loved ones in this tragedy. Prayers for a speedy recovery of the injured”, Sharif tweeted.
“Saddened to learn of the high death toll in the tragic train accident in Odisha, India. Our condolences for the families of the victims. Wish speedy recovery to the injured”, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari tweeted.
Expressing his condolences over the death of people, Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a telegram to Murmu and Modi. “Please accept our deep condolences over the tragic aftermath of the train collision in Odisha. We share the grief of those who lost their relatives and close ones in this catastrophe and we hope for speedy recovery to everyone injured”, Putin’s telegram said.
Expressing his grief, Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Ali Sabry tweeted, “Deeply saddened to learn of the tragic train accident in Odisha. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims and those injured. I hope for a speedy recovery for all those affected. Sri Lanka stands with India in this time of grief.”
“Syria expresses great regret and deep sadness for the friendly Republic of India over the killing of hundreds and injury of thousands of people in several trains collision in eastern Odisha state”, the Foreign and Expatriates Ministry of Syria said in a statement. The Ministry added that the Syrian Arab Republic stands in solidarity with the government and friendly people of India, expressing condolences to the families of victims and wishing for quick recovery of the injured.
Republic of Türkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “We have learned with deep sorrow that close to 300 people lost their lives and nearly 1000 people were injured last night as a result of a train crash in Odisha, India.” It further added, “We extend our condolences to the relatives of those who lost their lives in this tragic accident as well as to the people and Government of India and wish a speedy recovery to the injured.”
The tragic accident took place on the evening of Friday when the up Coromandel Express from Shalimar in West Bengal to Chennai in Tamil Nadu hit the derailed bogies of down Yashwantpur-Howrah Superfast Express near Bahanaga Bazar station close to Balasore of South Eastern Railway’s Bhadrak Division.
