TELEGRAM FOR THE DEATH OF VICTIMS OF AVALANCHE IN AUSTRIA

VATICAN CITY, FEB 24, 1999 (VIS) - Cardinal Secretary of State Angelo Sodano sent a telegram to Bishop Alois Kothgasser of Innsbruck, Austria, following the alpine avalanche yesterday afternoon which hit the Austrian locality of Galtuer causing many victims.

"It was with sadness and consternation that the Holy Father received the news of the catastrophe caused by an avalanche which hit the Galtuer valley. The Holy Father expresses his spiritual closeness to family members who are mourning their loved ones or who fear for the lives of those close to them. He prays for the eternal repose of the souls of the deceased and remembers in his prayers the thoughts and worries of relatives and friends, praying to God for consolation and fortitude for them."

TGR;AVALANCHE;...;AUSTRIA; SODANO; KOTHGASSER;VIS;19990224;Word: 140;