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MOSCOW: Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Wednesday led a wave of international sympathy for Spain after the country's worst air accident in 23 years killed at least 153 people.
"It is with deep sadness that I learnt that there had been an air accident at the airport in Madrid which ended with so many victims," Medvedev said in a message to Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero.
Italian President Giorgio Napolitano expressed his condolences in a message to Spanish King Juan Carlos.
"At this sad moment, Italy, united with your country by traditional bonds of friendship, feels particularly close to the Spanish people," he said.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel was said to be shocked by the number of dead and wounded, according to spokesman Thomas Steg.
The chancellor shares the pain of the families who have lost loved ones, he said, adding that she too had sent a message of sympathy to Zapatero.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy said he had learned of the "terrible" accident "with great sadness" adding that his thoughts were with the injured and victims' families.
Queen Elizabeth II said she was "shocked" and "saddened" in a message to King Juan Carlos of Spain.
"Philip joins me in sending our warm and heartfelt sympathies to the families and friends of those who have died and our best wishes for a speedy recovery to those who have been injured," the British monarch added, referring to her husband Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.
"At this difficult time, all those affected by this tragedy are in our thoughts and prayers."
The Spanish tourist jet, bound for Las Palmas in the Canary Island and carrying 172 people, broke up in flames Wednesday after making an emergency landing just after take off from Madrid-Barajas airport.
Spanish national radio said at least 153 people had died and 19 people were injured in the disaster.
- AFP/so
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