The world is mourning after the crash of an airliner in South Korea, which killed 179 people on Sunday. Several leaders conveyed their condolences to this Asian country which experienced the worst air disaster in its history.
Chinese President Xi Jinping said he was “shocked” in a message to his South Korean counterpart Choi Sang-mok. “I express our deep condolences to the victims, my sincere sympathy to the families of the victims and I wish a speedy recovery to the injured,” he said, quoted by Chinese state television channel CCTV.
The European Union is “heartbroken”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she was “heartbroken by the images of the Muan crash”. “As a partner, Europe stands by your side in this period of mourning,” she added.
Pope Francis, who visited South Korea a decade ago, told the Vatican faithful he joined them “in prayer for the survivors and the dead.” “My thoughts are with the many families in South Korea who are in mourning today following the dramatic plane crash,” Pope Francis said.
The “very great emotion” of France
France learned with “great emotion of the terrible toll” of the plane accident at Muan airport, indicates the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which adds that Paris sends “its most sincere condolences to the bereaved families” .
German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said the accident was “another blow to the heart of the nation” after “a difficult period,” in an allusion to recent political tensions in Seoul. “This is an incredible loss and pain for the friends and families of the victims,” said Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
“Condolences and sympathy” from Iran
Tehran expressed its “condolences and sympathy to the government and people of the Republic of Korea and Thailand”, the departure point of the plane which had two Thai nationals on board. The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Esmaeil Baghaei, addressed the “families of the victims and wished the injured a speedy recovery after this tragic accident”.
France
