World leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, expressed their condolences to the families and the Government of India on Saturday over the horrific train accident in Odisha in which at least 261 people were killed.
The accident, involving three trains, is one of the worst in the country and took place in Balasore district on Friday night.
The accident also injured more than 900 people.
Russian President Putin expressed his condolences in a telegram to Prime Minister Narendra 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 a speedy recovery to everyone injured," says the telegram, published on the Kremlin's website.
Japan's Prime Minister Kishida sent a condolence message to Prime Minister Modi following the train accident. "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," Kishida said in a statement.
Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi also sent a condolence message to Foreign Minister S Jaishankar. -- PTI