Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Saturday said she was pained and anguished by a horrific train accident in Odisha and extended condolences to the bereaved families.

At least 261 people were killed and nearly 1,000 injured in the crash involving the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express and a goods train in Odisha's Balasore on Friday.

"I am most pained and anguished by the terrible train disaster in Odisha," Gandhi said in a statement.

"I extend my deepest sympathy and condolences to all the bereaved families," the chairperson of the Congress's parliamentary party added.

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