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MADRID: Messages of support and sympathy flooded in to Spain after the country's worst air accident in decades killed 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," Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said in a message to Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero after Wednesday's disaster.
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 injured, 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.
A spokesman for British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the prime minister was "deeply sorry to hear about today's tragedy in Spain."
"His thoughts are with the Spanish people and all those affected by the tragedy."
Queen Elizabeth II said she was "shocked" and "saddened" in a message to King Juan Carlos.
"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."
Latin American governments sent Spain condolences and offers of assistance after the tragedy.
Argentine Foreign Minister Jorge Taina phoned his Spanish counterpart Miguel Angel Moratinos "to convey the profound sadness of the Argentine government and people" and extend Argentina's help in the tragedy, a ministry statement said.
Colombia extended to Spain's government and people "the most sincere condolences and wishes for the prompt recovery of all those who have been injured" in the crash, a foreign ministry statement said.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez sent a personal message to Spain.
"At this terrible time, all Venezuelans extend our feelings of solidarity and brotherhood to the families and friends of the victims of such a horrible accident," he said in a statement.
Costa Rica "expresses its solidarity in these difficult moments," a foreign ministry statement said.
"The Spanish people have already shown extraordinary determination in dealing with adversity and once again will find the strength to overcome these difficult moments," it added.
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.
The Spanish government said 153 people died and 19 people were injured, 17 of whom had been identified.
- AFP/yb
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