Pope Francis, has expressed sympathy with the victims of the recent  train disaster in India, which cut short lives of about least 288 people and left 900 with injuries.

On Saturday,  the Pope sent his prayers and condolences.

In his words, he said he was “deeply saddened” by the “immense loss of life” caused by Friday’s three-train collision in Odisha state, India’s deadliest rail accident in more than 20 years.

“Entrusting the souls of the deceased to the loving mercy of the Almighty, (Pope Francis) sends heartfelt condolences to those who mourn their loss,” senior Vatican cardinal Pietro Parolin said in a telegram published by the Holy See.

“His Holiness likewise offers prayers for the many injured and for the efforts of the emergency service personnel,” said the telegram, which was addressed to the apostolic nuncio in India, Leopoldo Girelli.

This horrible disaster occurred when an express train running north to Kolkata derailed, falling on the adjacent southbound track.

A few minutes after, an additional express train ran into the remnants and some of its coaches ran into each other with a commodity train stopped close by.