Disasters & Accidents

US regrets India train incident, highlights mutual ties

New York, Jun 3 (EFE).- United States President Joe Biden said Saturday he regretted the train collision in India that left at least 288 dead and almost 900 injured, conveying his condolences to those affected and highlighting the ties between both nations.

In a White House statement, the president and First Lady Jill Biden said they were “heartbroken by the tragic news of the deadly train crash in India,” already considered the worst rail accident of the 21st century in the country.

“Our prayers go out to those who have lost loved ones and to the many who have suffered injuries in this terrible incident,” the president said.

“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,” he added.

Messages of condolences for India and its government came Sunday from around the world, including the United Nations, whose Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was “deeply saddened” by the accident and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

The incident took place at 7:20 p.m. local time (1:50 p.m. GMT) on Friday in the Balasore district of the Odisha region, when a passenger train derailed, after which a second train collided with it. A third freight train was also involved in the accident.

Indian authorities raised the death toll Saturday to 288 and the number of injuries to almost 900, of which 56 are in serious condition. EFE

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