Pope Francis has offered his heartfelt condolences to all those affected by a deadly train crash in India. The crash, which occurred on Friday, killed at least 280 people and injured more than 900.

In a telegram sent on Saturday, Pope Francis said he was "deeply saddened" by the loss of life and offered his prayers and blessings to those affected by the tragedy. He also entrusted the souls of the deceased to the loving mercy of God and sent his condolences to those who mourn their loss.

The Pope concluded his message by offering prayers for the injured and for the efforts of the emergency service personnel. He invoked upon everyone "the divine gifts of courage and consolation."

The train crash is India's deadliest in more than 20 years. The collision occurred near Balasore, about 200 kilometers from the state capital, Bhubaneswar, in the eastern state of Odisha.

Rescue workers are working tirelessly at the accident site to search for survivors and to recover the bodies of those who were killed. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.

The Pope's message of condolences is a sign of his solidarity with the people of India during this difficult time. His prayers and blessings will be a source of comfort to those who have been affected by this tragedy.