Tragic Accident in India: Train Collision Kills Seven Wild Asiatic Elephants
GUWAHATI, India — Seven wild Asiatic elephants were killed and a calf was injured when a high-speed passenger train collided with a herd crossing the tracks in India’s northeastern state of Assam early Saturday, local authorities said.
The Accident
The train driver spotted the herd of about 100 elephants and used the emergency brakes, but the train still hit some of the animals, Indian Railways spokesman Kapinjal Kishore Sharma told The Associated Press.
Five train coaches and the engine derailed after the impact, but no one on board was hurt, Sharma said.
Aftermath of the Accident
Veterinarians carried out autopsies on the dead elephants, which were to be buried later in the day.
The accident site is a forested area around 78 miles southeast of Assam’s capital city of Guwahati. Railway tracks in the state are frequented by elephants, but Indian Railways said in a statement the accident location wasn’t a designated elephant corridor.
The Train and Its Passengers
The Rajdhani Express train, traveling from Sairang in Mizoram state bordering Myanmar, was bound for the national capital of New Delhi with 650 passengers onboard when it hit the elephants.
“We delinked the coaches, which were not derailed, and the train resumed its journey for New Delhi. Around 200 passengers who were in the five derailed coaches have been moved to Guwahati in a different train,” Sharma said.
Frequency of Elephant-Train Collisions in Assam
Speeding trains hitting wild elephants is not rare in Assam, which is home to an estimated 7,000 wild Asiatic elephants, one of the highest concentrations of the pachyderm in India. Since 2020, at least a dozen elephants have been killed by speeding trains across the state.
Wild elephants often stray into human habitations this time of year, when rice fields are ready for harvesting.
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Conclusion
The tragic accident in Assam highlights the need for increased measures to prevent elephant-train collisions in the state. With the highest concentration of wild Asiatic elephants in India, it is essential to take steps to protect these magnificent creatures and ensure the safety of both humans and animals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many elephants were killed in the train collision?
A: Seven wild Asiatic elephants were killed, and a calf was injured in the train collision.
Q: Where did the accident occur?
A: The accident occurred in a forested area around 78 miles southeast of Assam’s capital city of Guwahati.
Q: How many passengers were on the train?
A: There were 650 passengers onboard the Rajdhani Express train when it hit the elephants.
Q: What is being done to prevent such accidents in the future?
A: Indian Railways and local authorities are working to implement measures to prevent elephant-train collisions, including designating elephant corridors and increasing awareness among train drivers and passengers.
