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At least eight elephants were killed after the Sairang–New Delhi Rajdhani Express collided with a herd in Assam’s Hojai district early Saturday. The impact derailed the locomotive and five coaches, disrupting rail services across Northeast India. No passengers were injured.
Rajdhani Express Derails in Assam After Collision With Elephants
Dispur: A tragic train accident occurred in Assam late Friday night. The Sairang-New Delhi Rajdhani Express collided with a herd of elephants in the Sanroja area of Jamunamukh in the Hojai district of the state. The accident happened around 2:17 AM when the herd of elephants was crossing the railway tracks. The collision was so severe that the train's engine and five coaches derailed.
Forest department officials confirmed that eight elephants died on the spot in the accident, while one calf was found injured and has been safely rescued. It is suspected that some other elephants may also have been injured. Panic ensued in the area after the incident, and forest department and railway teams rushed to the scene.
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According to railway officials, there were no reports of any passenger fatalities or injuries in the accident. Passengers from the affected coaches were temporarily shifted to vacant berths in other safe coaches of the train. The railways stated that additional coaches would be added when the train reaches Guwahati, after which the Rajdhani Express will continue its journey.
Upon receiving information about the accident, accident relief trains, senior railway officials, and rescue teams reached the spot. Rail traffic on this route was severely affected due to the presence of elephant carcasses and debris on the tracks. Several trains bound for Upper Assam and other parts of the Northeast have been cancelled, while some have been diverted. The railways have also issued helpline numbers to assist passengers.
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According to railway sources, this area is not an officially declared elephant corridor. The loco pilot attempted to apply emergency brakes upon seeing the herd of elephants on the tracks, but the elephants were hit by the train, resulting in the collision. The investigation also revealed that the elephants suddenly came onto the tracks, making it impossible to avoid the accident.
The railways and the forest department have jointly launched an investigation into the accident. It is also being considered how surveillance and security measures can be enhanced in sensitive areas to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
