Cochin - Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State through Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal and Cardinal Mar George Alencherry, the Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church, expressed their condolences and prayers to the victims of the tragic train accident in Odisha.

Cardinal Parolin wrote as follows

His Holiness Pope Francis was deeply saddened to learn of the immense loss of life caused by the train crash in Odisha state, And he assures all affected by this tragedy of his spiritual closeness. Entrusting the souls of the deceased to the loving mercy of the Almighty, he 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, And he invokes upon them the divine gifts of courage and consolation.

In this painful circumstance, I join the Holy Father in offering my condolences and wish to assure prayers for the victims and their families and for the relief of the injured, concluded Cardinal Parolin.

Cardinal George Alencherry, also through a press release said that he was deeply anguished to learn about the train accident in Odisha.

The incident, which resulted in the injury of around a thousand individuals and the loss of many lives, has brought unprecedented sorrow to the entire nation. Cardinal George Alencherry reckoned the collective responsibility we share in providing solace and assistance to the families of the deceased and the injured victims affected by this tragedy.

He emphasized that the Catholic Church, in collaboration with the Government, the Railway Department, and relevant authorities, is actively engaged in relief efforts. He also offered prayers for the peaceful repose of the departed souls and extended heartfelt condolences to their grieving loved ones. He also expressed hope for the swift recovery of all the injured individuals currently receiving medical treatment in hospitals.