Train derails in India, after striking eight elephants PHOTO / VIDEO

At least seven elephants have been killed and one injured after a herd was struck by the Sairang–New Delhi Rajdhani Express in Assam, India, early on Saturday (December 20), railway officials said.

The accident, which occurred at 2:17 am in Changjurai village, also caused the derailment of the train’s engine and five coaches, Caliber.Az reports, citing Indian media.

No passengers were reported injured.

Nagaon Divisional Forest Officer Suhash Kadam told reporters that the collision may have been caused by heavy fog in the area.

“Autopsies of the seven dead elephants are underway, and treatment is being provided to the injured animal by local veterinary staff,” he said. “Cremation will be carried out near the accident site, and legal formalities are being followed.”

Northern Frontier Railway (NFR) spokesperson Kapinjal Kishore Sharma said the incident occurred in the Jamunamukh–Kampur section under the Lumding division, about 126 km from Guwahati. He added that the site is not a designated elephant corridor. “The train driver applied emergency brakes upon seeing the herd, but the elephants could not be avoided,” he said.

Rescue and relief efforts were immediately deployed. Officials from the divisional headquarters, along with the NFR general manager and divisional railway manager of Lumding, rushed to the scene. Helplines have been activated at Guwahati railway station for affected passengers.

Passengers from the derailed coaches were temporarily accommodated in vacant berths in other compartments, and the train continued to Guwahati at 6:11 am. Additional coaches will be attached before the journey resumes.

Rail services in the affected section have been diverted, and restoration work is ongoing.

By Aghakazim Guliyev