Breaking News: India Express Train Kills Seven Elephants Crossing Tracks

Seven wild Asian elephants, including calves, lost their lives when a high-speed train collided with a herd crossing the tracks in north-eastern India. The incident occurred early on Saturday in Hojai district, Assam state. A calf was injured in the accident, while five carriages derailed, but fortunately, no injuries were reported among passengers and staff on the Delhi-bound express.

According to local officials, the train driver spotted dozens of elephants and used the emergency brakes, but some animals were still hit. The Northeast Frontier Railway stated that the collision happened at a location not designated as an elephant corridor. The killed elephants were later examined by veterinarians and buried.

The incident occurred at around 6:30 am local time, when the train was traveling at a speed of approximately 120 kilometers per hour. The train was carrying over 1,000 passengers, who were safely evacuated after the accident. Train cancellations and diversions were reported in the area during the day.

Assam has one of the biggest elephant populations in India, with nearly 6,000 animals recorded in the state. Local railway tracks are often crossed by elephant herds, highlighting the need for effective measures to prevent such incidents. The Northeast Frontier Railway has promised to investigate the incident and take necessary steps to prevent future collisions.

The incident raises important questions about human-elephant conflict and the need for sustainable coexistence. As the human population expands, it is essential to protect elephant habitats and corridors to prevent such tragic incidents. The Indian government has been working to develop strategies to mitigate human-elephant conflict, including the creation of elephant corridors and buffer zones.

In the wake of this incident, the Indian government has announced an investigation into the matter, and the Northeast Frontier Railway has promised to take necessary steps to prevent future collisions. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting elephant habitats and corridors to prevent such tragic incidents.