At least eight elephants were killed and one calf was injured after a tragic collision with the Sairang-New Delhi Rajdhani Express in Assam’s Hojai district early Saturday morning. The accident caused the derailment of the train’s locomotive and five coaches, disrupting rail services across parts of the Northeast.
The incident took place at around 2.17 am, according to PTI. The Rajdhani Express was travelling from Sairang near Aizawl in Mizoram to Anand Vihar Terminal in Delhi when it suddenly hit a herd of elephants that had come onto the railway tracks. Officials confirmed that no passengers were injured, despite the impact being severe.
Eight elephants killed, injured calf rescued
Forest department officials said that eight elephants died on the spot, while one calf was found injured and later rescued. The accident occurred about 126 km from Guwahati. Authorities also clarified that the site of the collision is not a designated elephant corridor.
Sources said the train’s loco pilot noticed the elephants on the track and immediately applied emergency brakes. However, before the train could come to a complete halt, the elephants ran into the moving train, leading to the collision and derailment.
Train movement affected, passengers shifted safely
Due to the derailment and elephant body parts scattered on the tracks, rail services to Upper Assam and other parts of the Northeast were badly affected. Soon after the incident, accident relief trains and railway officials reached the spot to begin rescue and clearance operations.
Passengers from the affected coaches were safely shifted to vacant berths in other coaches of the same train. Railway sources said that once the train reaches Guwahati, additional coaches will be attached to accommodate all passengers. After this arrangement, the train will continue its onward journey to Delhi.
Authorities are continuing restoration work to ensure rail services return to normal at the earliest.
