Odisha Train Accident: Deeply Saddened By Immense Loss Of Life, Pope Francis Expresses Condolences

The pontiff was "deeply saddened" by the "immense loss of life" caused by the three-train collision in Odisha State on Friday, India's deadliest rail accident in more than 20 years.

Pope Francis Expresses Condolences Following the Odisha Train Tragedy (File Photo/Representational Image)

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Pope Francis on Sunday (June 4) expressed deep sorrow over the Odisha train accident, which killed at least 275 people and injured over a thousand, and offered prayers and condolences. The pontiff was "deeply saddened" by the "immense loss of life" caused by the three-train collision in Odisha State on Friday, India's deadliest rail accident in more than 20 years.

According to Reuters, Pope Francis said: "My prayer goes to the many victims of the train accident that occurred two days ago (June 2) in India. I express my closeness to the injured and their families. May the Heavenly Father welcome the souls of the deceased into his kingdom."

Earlier in a telegram issued by the Holy See, senior Vatican cardinal Pietro Parolin said, "Entrusting the souls of the deceased to the loving mercy of the Almighty, (Pope Francis) sends heartfelt condolences to those who mourn their loss." 

"His Holiness likewise offers prayers for the many injured and for the efforts of the emergency service personnel," said the telegram, which was sent to the apostolic nuncio in India, Leopoldo Girelli.

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On Friday night, three trains — the Shalimar-Chennai Coromandel Express, the SMVT Bengaluru-Howrah SF Express, and a goods train — collided after the Coromandel Express derailed near Bahanaga railway station in Odisha's Balasore district. 275 people were killed and over a thousand were injured. 

On Sunday, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced the continuation of daily bus service to Kolkata from Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, and Puri until normal train service on the Balasore route is restored. According to a statement issued by the state government, approximately 50 buses will operate daily to provide transportation to Kolkata. 

According to the Railways Board, the goods train involved in the Odisha triple train accident was carrying iron ore, which resulted in a large number of casualties and injuries. According to Jaya Varma Sinha, Member of Operation and Business Development, Railway Board, the goods train did not derail, but because it was carrying iron ore, it had the greatest impact on the Coromandel Express. Meanwhile, Odisha Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena stated that the revised death toll was 275 rather than 288.