Pope Francis has expressed his grief over yesterday's train collision which killed 23 people in the southern Italian region of Puglia.
The Pope said he was praying for the injured and the families of the victims. "His Holiness Pope Francis expresses his heartfelt and genuine participation in the sorrow striking so many families," said the Vatican secretary of state Archbishop Pietro Paroli.
"He assures his fervent prayers of repose for those who tragically died and, while invoking the Lord for a swift recovery for the injured, entrusts to the maternal protection of the Virgin Mary the many who are affected by dramatic grief, and sends the comfort of his Apostolic Blessing."
The comments came after at least 23 people died and dozens more were injured in the crash, which happened around 11:30 local time yesterday. Two trains appeared to collide with one another between the coastal towns of Bari and Barletta.
Italy's Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, who was in Milan during the accident, said he had ordered an investigation.
"I want to express my condolences to the families and I have ordered, with no holding-back, [an inquiry] to find who is responsible," he said.
"I think we must have absolute clarity on this. We will not stop until we understand what happened."
The Mayor of Corato, Massimo Mazzilli said the damage was so extensive it was as if a plane had crashed, the BBC reported.
A policeman told reporters: "I saw dead people, others who were begging for help, people crying. The worst scene of my life."
