Odisha tragedy: World leaders, including United States President Joe Biden, United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Chinese President Xi Jinping, French President Emmanuel Macron, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and others, have expressed their condolences to the families of the train crash in Balasore.
Jinping sent a message to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the deadly incident. He expressed deep condolences to the victims and offered sympathies to the families of the injured.
Rishi Sunak, too, expressed his deepest condolences to the families of those killed. He wrote on Twitter, “My thoughts and prayers are with @narendramodi and with all affected by the tragic events in Odisha. My deepest condolences to the family and friends of those killed, and my heartfelt support and admiration to the survivors and those working tirelessly to respond.”
The accident that occurred on June 2 claimed around 288 passengers’ lives and injured more than 1,000 people.
Russian President Putin reportedly expressed his condolences to PM Modi in a telegram. Meanwhile, Japan’s PM Kishida said in a statement, “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.”
French President Macron tweeted, “My deepest condolences to President Murmu, Prime Minister Modi and the people of India after the tragic train accident in Odisha. France stands in solidarity with you. My thoughts are with the families of the victims.”
Earlier in the day, US President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden expressed their grief over the incident. “(First Lady Dr) Jill (Biden) and I are heartbroken by the tragic news of the deadly train crash in India. Our prayers go out to those who have lost loved ones and the many who suffered injuries in this terrible incident. The United States and India share deep bonds rooted in the ties of family and culture that unite our two nations and people all across America mourn alongside the people of India. As the recovery effort continues, we will hold the people of India in our thoughts,” Biden said in a statement.