Kollam temple fire: World leaders offer sympathy
Mr Nawaz Sharif on Sunday evening called up Prime Minister Narendra Modi to express his grief.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: World leaders, including Pope Francis, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Prince William, have condoled the Paravur fireworks tragedy that has killed 109 people and injured over 383.
Pope Francis, head of the Roman Catholic Church, sent a message the state government, signed by Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
“His Holiness Pope Francis was saddened to learn of the tragic fire at the Puttingal temple complex in Paravur, and he sends his condolences to the relatives of the deceased and injured,” wrote Cardinal Parolin. “Praying for all affected by this tragedy, and for the relief efforts underway, Pope Francis invokes upon the nation the divine blessings of strength and peace,” it said.
German Chancellor’s spokesman, Steffen Seibert, who is also the head of the Press and Information Office, sent a message on Twitter. “Angela Merkel grieves with the people of India for the dead of the accident in the temple of Paravur and hope for recovery of the injured,” it said.
Mr Nawaz Sharif on Sunday evening called up Prime Minister Narendra Modi to express his grief. Prince William and Kate Middleton, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who commenced their maiden visit to India on Sunday, also expressed sadness over the tragedy. Prince William was attending a private function in Mumbai attended by actors Shahrukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai.