Pretoria – South Africa has sent condolences to India following the devastating train crash in the state of Odisha that killed more than 270 people and left many others injured.
The train accident occurred on Friday, (2 June 2023), about 200 km southwest of Kolkata, in Odisha’s Balasore district, at around 19:00 local time.
The latest reports from India place the death toll at least 275 with more than 850 others injured. The three-train collision has been described as India’s deadliest train accident.
“On behalf of the government and the people of South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa has sent a message of condolences to the government and the people of India, in particular, the families of the deceased,” the SA Presidency said in a communique Saturday.
President Ramaphosa said the South African government and people stand in solidarity with those affected by this tragedy and laud the emergency rescue and medical personnel for their tireless efforts.
President Ramaphosa added that the thoughts of the South African people are with the people of India, particularly the affected families, during this time of mourning.
South Africa and India enjoy strong historical, political, diplomatic, economic and people-to-people relations.
The two countries established full diplomatic relations in 1993.
South Africa and India share several common interests, including the reform of the United Nations (UN) and Bretton Woods institutions.
The two countries also cooperate in a number of multilateral forums, including BRICS, the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Dialogue Forum, and the G20.
