8 Elephants Killed as Rajdhani Express Hits Herd in Assam
8 Elephants Killed as Rajdhani Express Hits Herd in Assam
Eight elephants killed after being struck by the Sairang-New Delhi Rajdhani Express in Hojai district; train derailed but passengers unharmed, with routes diverted as crews work to restore service.
In the early hours of Saturday, the Sairang-New Delhi Rajdhani Express struck a herd of elephants in the Changjurai area of Hojai district, Assam. Forest officials confirmed eight elephants were killed and one injured as the train derailed five coaches and its engine. There were no injuries reported among passengers.
The incident occurred around 2:17 am and forced railway authorities to divert trains on the Jamunamukh–Kampur section through the UP line as restoration work began. The New Delhi-bound Rajdhani connects Mizoram’s Sairang near Aizawl with Anand Vihar Terminal in Delhi.
Forest officers and teams reached the Changjurai site, with officials saying the herd may have strayed from nearby forest areas. The incident highlights the ongoing clash between railway operations and wildlife movement, prompting calls for stronger wildlife corridors and better monitoring in high-risk routes.
Investigations into the accident are underway, and authorities are assessing measures to prevent such collisions in the future, including potential speed restrictions or enhanced fencing along sensitive stretches.
