A high-speed passenger train collided with a herd of elephants in Assam, India, resulting in the deaths of seven wild Asiatic elephants early on December 16, 2023. The incident occurred when the Rajdhani Express, traveling from Sairang in Mizoram to New Delhi, struck the elephants as they crossed the railway tracks.
The train driver noticed the herd of approximately 100 elephants and engaged the emergency brakes. Despite these efforts, the train still made contact with some of the elephants, according to Indian Railways spokesman Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, who spoke with The Associated Press. The impact caused five train coaches and the engine to derail, but fortunately, there were no human casualties reported.
Veterinarians performed autopsies on the deceased elephants, which were scheduled to be buried later that day. The accident took place in a forested area about 125 kilometers (78 miles) southeast of Assam’s capital, Guwahati. Although railway tracks in Assam frequently see wild elephants, Indian Railways confirmed that the site of the accident was not designated as an elephant corridor.
The Rajdhani Express was carrying around 650 passengers at the time of the collision. Following the incident, railway officials separated the undamaged coaches from the derailed ones, allowing the train to continue its journey to New Delhi. Approximately 200 passengers from the affected coaches were transferred to another train to reach Guwahati safely.
This tragic event highlights a concerning trend in Assam, which is home to an estimated 7,000 wild Asiatic elephants, representing one of the highest concentrations of these animals in India. Such collisions are not uncommon; since 2020, at least a dozen elephants have lost their lives due to speeding trains in the state. During this period, wild elephants often venture into human settlements as rice fields become ready for harvesting, increasing the risk of encounters with trains.
Authorities are urged to address the ongoing safety issues posed by railway crossings in areas frequented by wildlife. As the situation develops, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of both humans and elephants in the region.
