Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin has offered his condolences to those affected by the train collision in India last week.
On June 2, two trains crashed into one another that led to over 250 deaths and hundreds more injured, according to The Guardian. It is suspected the train collision was the result of an electronic signal error.
"Deeply saddened to hear of the tragedy in Balasore," Austin said in a June 3 post on Twitter. Our hearts go out to our partners in India. I will convey our condolences in person when I meet with senior leaders in India in the coming days."
According to The Guardian, a green signal was given to the Coromandel Express train to continue. The train moved from the main line to the loop line, where a stationary freight train was parked.
A passenger train and a freight train, laden with iron, were involved in the collision, causing a catastrophic impact that derailed a train onto another track that also caused the subsequent derailment of another train, according to reports from AP News. The collision was so severe it claimed the lives of at least 275 individuals, with another 900 individuals sustaining varying degrees of injuries.
"Deeply moved by the condolence messages from world leaders on the train mishap in Odisha," India Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a June 3 Twitter post. "Their kind words will give strength to the bereaved families. Gratitude for their support."
Modi also expressed his deep sorrow over the loss of lives and issued directives to the concerned government departments to provide immediate assistance to the affected individuals and their families, according to an Ani report. He further emphasized the need for a comprehensive evaluation of the existing safety protocols within the railway network to prevent similar tragic incidents in the future.