PARIS (AFP) – World leaders yesterday reacted with shock and grief to the loss of the space shuttle Columbia, stressing the contribution the victims had made to conquering the dangerous realm of space.

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin praised the men and women who had given their lives to conquer space “in the name of peace, science and the progress of civilisation”.

German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder told President George W Bush: “Your country has again had the painful experience that exploration of the universe can cause human losses.”

France’s President Jacques Chirac spoke of his deep emotion over a terrible tragedy and the feelings of solidarity of his people with the bereaved.

Israel’s Ambassador to the United States Daniel Ayalon said the loss of Columbia, with seven astronauts including the first Israeli aboard, was a tragedy for his country and the United States.

Putin addressed messages of condolences to both Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. “It is with profound sadness that Russia learned of the tragic death of the Columbia space shuttle team,” he told Bush, as quoted by ITAR-TASS news agency.

Offering his condolences to the families of the victims, he said: “These brave people have given their lives in conquering the dangerous environment of space in the name of peace, science, and the progress of civilisation.”

Schroeder also sent a telegram to Sharon, expressing his sincere condolences over the loss of Ilan Ramon, the Israeli astronaut.

Ramon was a 48-year-old air force colonel and former fighter pilot who in 1981 took part in Israel’s bombing of Iraq’s nuclear reactor at Osirak, which set back Baghdad’s quest for nuclear weapons by years.

In his message to Bush, Chirac said: “In the name of the French people, which has always been a friend of the American people, I wish to express the deep emotion and feelings of solidarity in this ordeal, which all my fellow-countrymen feel.”

Italy’s President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi told Bush: “The men and the women who have died in this tragedy are courageous protagonists in the long path towards the progress of science and to enlarge the frontiers of humanity,” wrote Ciampi.

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan expressed deep sadness at the disaster, saying the loss of Columbia was a loss for all of humanity.

“His thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those who perished during the mission,” a press statement said.

Annan also expressed condolences to the governments and peoples of the United States, India and Israel. One of the astronauts, Kalpana Chawla, was born in India.

“Since space exploration knows no frontiers, the loss of Columbia is a loss for the whole of humanity,” the statement said.

Other messages came from Romani Prodi, President of the European Union Commission, who declared his shock at the loss of those “whose scientific work benefited all mankind”, and the Mexican government, which expressed condolences to the United States and the American people.

Alain Bensoussan, head of the French space agency CNES, sent a message to National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) chief administrator Sean O’Keefe, saying:

“I have just got the news of the tragic accident of Columbia which hurts us all.

“The world of the space community and I, wanted to assure you of my solidarity. If there is anything NASA may require from CNES, be certain I shall make sure of all possible assistance.”

Meanwhile, a small town in northern India went into mourning and prayer yesterday for Kalpana Chawla – the Indian-born astronaut.

Hundreds of people poured onto the streets in Karnal on hearing of the tragedy.

It was there that Chawla – who became a US citizen after travelling to America to further her studies – began her journey into space and first dreamt to one day walk on the moon.