7 Elephants Killed in Train Collision in Assam
Seven wild elephants were killed and one calf injured after a passenger train collided with a herd in Assam’s Hojai district in the early hours of Saturday. The accident occurred on a forested railway stretch when the train encountered the animals crossing the tracks in low-visibility conditions.
Train derails, passengers safe
The impact caused the locomotive and several coaches of the passenger train to derail. Railway officials confirmed that no passengers or crew members were injured in the incident. Emergency brakes were applied by the train driver on spotting the herd, but the collision could not be avoided due to the short reaction time.
Rescue and restoration efforts
Forest department officials and railway authorities rushed to the site soon after the accident. The injured calf was rescued and shifted for veterinary care, while post-mortem examinations were conducted on the dead elephants. Rail traffic on the affected route was temporarily disrupted as accident relief teams worked to restore the tracks and clear the derailed coaches.
Ongoing concern over wildlife safety
Assam has a significant population of wild Asiatic elephants, and train-related fatalities have been reported in the past. Conservationists have repeatedly flagged the risks posed by railway lines cutting through elephant habitats. Authorities have introduced measures such as speed restrictions and warning systems in sensitive zones, but the latest incident has renewed calls for stronger safeguards to prevent wildlife deaths.
