Pope Francis has offered prayers for the victims of a train accident that occurred in India.

“Let’s #PrayTogether for the many victims of the railway accident that occurred two days ago in India,” he tweeted recently. "I am close to the wounded and their families. May the heavenly Father welcome the souls of the deceased into his Kingdom.”

A devastating train accident took place in the Indian state of Odisha last week. It was reportedly one of the most severe incidents in decades. The collision involving three train cars resulted in the loss of hundreds of lives and left thousands seriously injured. The incident occurred when the Coromandel Express and Howrah Superfast Express, both passenger trains, collided with a stationary train carrying goods, according to the BBC.

The crash has been attributed to a signal failure, prompting several comprehensive investigations, including one by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is considered India's best detective agency. Other inquiries came from the commissioner of railway safety for the south-eastern circle, and a retired judge. The efforts of these agencies aim to thoroughly examine the incident, determine the causes and shed light on the circumstances surrounding the tragic crash, the BBC reported.

Reports indicate that the passenger trains involved in the collision were carrying more than 3,000 passengers. Additionally, it has been noted that the stationary goods train was loaded with iron ore, potentially playing a role in the severity of injuries and fatalities resulting from the accident. The presence of such heavy cargo may have contributed to the devastating impact of the collision.

“We can’t bring back those we have lost but the government is with them (families) in their grief. This incident is very serious for the government… Whoever is found guilty will be punished severely,” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said during his visit to the crash site on Saturday, according to CNN reports.