A tragic accident occurred in the Lumding division of Assam on Saturday morning when the Sealdah-New Delhi Rajdhani Express collided with a herd of wild elephants, causing the train's engine and five coaches to derail.
Accident News: A distressing and rare rail accident came to light in Assam on Saturday morning, raising serious questions about wildlife conservation and railway safety, not only within the country but also internationally. The Sealdah-New Delhi Rajdhani Express collided with a herd of wild elephants in the Lumding division of Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR).
In this severe collision, the train's engine and five coaches derailed, while at least 8 elephants died. Fortunately, there were no reports of any casualties among the passengers in this accident.
Where and How the Accident Happened?
The accident occurred on the Jamunamukh-Kampur rail section in the Hojai district of Assam, located approximately 126 kilometers from Guwahati. According to information, the Rajdhani Express was proceeding at a high speed on its scheduled route on Saturday morning when a herd of wild elephants suddenly appeared on the railway track. The driver did not have time to react, and the train collided with the elephants. The impact was so b that five coaches, including the engine, derailed.
Forest department officials have confirmed that 8 elephants died in the accident. This area is known as an elephant corridor, a traditional route for elephant movement. Experts say that such incidents are increasing due to the conflict between railway lines and forests in Northeast India. This accident is not only a rail accident but also a serious warning for biodiversity and wildlife conservation.
Passenger Safety and Railway Action
Railway officials said that all passengers on board the train at the time of the accident are safe. No one was seriously injured. Passengers from the affected coaches were temporarily seated on available berths in other coaches of the train. In addition, the process of providing alternative arrangements for passengers to continue their journey was started immediately.
NFR stated that relief trains, technical teams, and senior officials have reached the spot. Work is being done rapidly to remove the derailed coaches and restore the track. A plan is in place to add extra coaches to the train upon arrival in Guwahati to ensure a comfortable and safe journey for all passengers.
