Several global leaders, including the Presidents of the US, China, Russia, France, Türkiye, and PMs of Japan and the UK, expressed their condolences regarding Friday’s Balasore Train Accident, which left 275 dead and more than 1,000 injured. Afghanistan’s Taliban leaders also extended message of support over the train accident.
World Leaders Express Condolences
In a statement on the deadly train crash, US President Joe Biden said, “[My wife] 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.”
Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif also expressed “heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families who lost their loved ones” in the train tragedy. UN General Assembly President Csaba Kőrösi and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed grief over the news as well.
My dear friend, Prime Minister @narendramodi,
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) June 4, 2023
On behalf of the people of Israel, my wife Sara and I send our condolences to you and to the people of India, in the wake of the tragic train crash in Odisha.
Our hearts are with you. 🇮🇱🤝🇮🇳
Canadian PM Justin Trudeau, French President Emmanuel Macron, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, Netherlands PM Mark Rutte, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also joined in to offer condolences over the incident.
PM of UAE HH Sheikh Mohammed tweeted, “Our hearts go out to the families who lost loved ones and to the injured. The UAE stands in solidarity with India during this difficult time.”
In a show of support, Chinese President Xi Jinping said he was shocked to learn of the accident and offered, “on behalf of the Chinese government and people, deep condolences to the victims and sincere sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured, and wished the injured a speedy recovery.”
Chinese Premier Li Qiang also sent a message of condolence to Indian PM Narendra Modi. The Indian leader appreciated the kind words from the world leaders and expressed gratitude for their support.
#Russia'n President Vladimir #Putin sent his condolences to @rashtrapatibhvn & @PMOIndia @narendramodi over the deadly train collision in the Indian state of #Odisha. pic.twitter.com/mjIFqivcN1
— Russia in India 🇷🇺 (@RusEmbIndia) June 3, 2023
The Balasore Train Tragedy
A multi-train collision took place in the Balasore district of Odisha on 2 June, involving the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express, and a stationary goods train.
The crash occurred around 7 PM, when the Coromandel Express derailed and hit the other two trains. The Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said that a “change in electronic interlocking” was the real cause of the accident.
The government has set up an investigation to determine the actual cause of the accident. Relief work is on as hundreds are still hospitalised. Speaking to reporters at the accident site, Vaishnaw said that restoration work is underway and normalcy will be restored before Wednesday morning.
A workforce of over 1,000 people is engaged in the work. More than seven Poclain machines, two accident relief trains, and 3–4 railway and road cranes are deployed, the ministry stated.