A devastating railway collision resulted in the deaths of seven elephants and left one injured in northeastern India’s Assam state early Saturday morning. The incident occurred at approximately 2:17 AM local time in Hojai district when a Delhi-bound train struck a wandering herd outside officially recognized elephant passageways.
According to VV Rakesh Reddy, the district police chief, and confirmed by Northeast Frontier Railway authorities, the train engineer immediately engaged emergency brakes upon spotting the elephants. Tragically, the animals unexpectedly moved toward the oncoming train instead of away from it, leading to the fatal impact.
The collision caused significant derailment of the locomotive and five passenger coaches, though remarkably no human injuries were reported among passengers or crew. Railway officials have implemented immediate diversion protocols for scheduled trains while restoration teams work to clear and repair the affected section.
This incident highlights the ongoing conflict between India’s expanding rail infrastructure and wildlife conservation efforts, particularly in regions with significant elephant populations. The absence of designated corridors at the accident location raises questions about habitat protection and transportation safety measures in ecologically sensitive areas.