THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
Guwahati, Dec 20: A major incident has been reported from Assam, where eight elephants were killed after being hit by the Sairang–New Delhi Rajdhani Express in Hojai district late at night.
The accident occurred around 2 a.m., when a herd of elephants was crossing the railway track. One elephant was also injured in the incident.
Following the collision, the locomotive and five coaches of the train derailed. Fortunately, no passengers were injured.
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Rail traffic in the area was disrupted due to the mishap. Several trains were cancelled, while the routes of some others were diverted.
According to reports, the Rajdhani Express was passing through Hojai district when the herd attempted to cross the track.
On spotting the elephants, the loco pilot applied emergency brakes, but the train could not be stopped in time and rammed into the herd, resulting in the death of eight elephants and injuries to one.
Passengers experienced a strong jolt after the collision, triggering panic inside the train. Some passengers reportedly fell from their seats, though there were no reports of serious injuries. The accident caused an obstruction on the track, affecting rail services.
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Railway officials said that passengers travelling in the derailed coaches were safely shifted to other coaches. After detaching the affected coaches, the train was dispatched towards Guwahati.
