Deadly Collision: High-Speed Train Kills 7 Elephants in Assam, India
Image Source: Internet
A high-speed passenger train collided with a herd of Asiatic elephants in India's northeastern state of Assam, killing 7 and injuring a calf. The incident occurred early Saturday when the train's driver spotted the herd of around 100 elephants. Despite using emergency brakes, the train still hit some of the animals. Five coaches and the engine derailed, but thankfully, there were no human casualties. The accident site is in a forested area near Guwahati, where railway tracks often intersect with elephant habitats. According to Indian Railways, this particular location was not designated as an elephant corridor. The Rajdhani Express train was traveling from Mizoram to New Delhi with 650 passengers when it hit the elephants. The train has since resumed its journey, and affected passengers have been re-routed. This tragic incident highlights the ongoing issue of speeding trains colliding with wild elephants in Assam, which is home to an estimated 7,000 Asiatic elephants. Since 2020, at least a dozen elephants have been killed by trains in the state. The frequent straying of wild elephants into human habitations during harvest season adds to the risk of such accidents.
