Seven Elephants Killed as Rajdhani Express Derails After Early-Morning Collision in Assam
Seven Elephants Killed as Rajdhani Express Derails After Early-Morning Collision in Assam
Guwahati, Dec 20 : A tragic wildlife accident unfolded in Assam in the early hours of Saturday when the Sairang-bound Rajdhani Express collided with a herd of elephants, killing seven animals and causing the derailment of the locomotive along with five coaches. The incident took place around 2:15 am on the Jamunamukh–Kampur railway section under the Lumding division of Northeast Frontier (N.F.) Railway, approximately 126 kilometres from Guwahati.
Railway authorities confirmed that no passengers were injured in the accident. However, the collision proved fatal for the elephants. According to officials, the loco pilot applied emergency brakes immediately after spotting the herd on the tracks, but the impact could not be avoided. The site of the incident is not officially marked as an elephant corridor, the N.F. Railway stated.
Following the accident, relief trains and emergency response teams were rushed to the spot. Railway helplines were activated at Guwahati station to assist passengers, while those travelling in the affected coaches were safely shifted to vacant berths in other compartments.
After the derailed coaches were detached, the Rajdhani Express resumed its journey towards Guwahati at around 6:15 am. Additional coaches are scheduled to be attached at Guwahati before the train continues to its final destination.
Senior railway officials, including the General Manager of N.F. Railway and the Divisional Railway Manager of Lumding, arrived at the site to monitor restoration and clearance operations. Rail traffic on the affected section has been diverted through the UP line, and repair work is currently underway.
The deaths of the elephants have once again raised serious concerns over wildlife safety along railway tracks in Assam, a state that reports one of the highest numbers of elephant deaths due to train collisions in India. The incident is expected to reignite discussions on strengthening measures to protect wildlife and improve railway safety in forested regions.
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