Five Rajdhani Express coaches derail after collision in Assam, eight elephants killed
The impact killed eight elephants and injured one, while five coaches of the train were derailed. No human casualties have been reported so far.
PTC News Desk: A train accident occurred in the early hours of Saturday in Assam’s Hojai district when the Sairang–New Delhi Rajdhani Express collided with a herd of elephants. The impact killed eight elephants and injured one, while five coaches of the train were derailed. No human casualties have been reported so far.
The incident took place around 2.15 am in the Jamunamukh–Kampur section under the Lumding Division of the Northeast Frontier Railway. According to NF Railway, the elephants suddenly appeared on the track, prompting the loco pilot to apply the emergency brakes. Despite this, the animals struck the train, resulting in multiple fatalities among the herd.
Rail traffic on the affected section was disrupted due to the accident. A forest official from the Nagaon Division, Subhash Kadam, said several scheduled trains were diverted via the UP line. Forest authorities also began restoration work at the site.
The Sairang–New Delhi Rajdhani Express runs between Sairang near Aizawl in Mizoram and Anand Vihar Terminal in Delhi. After the incident, senior railway officials, including the NF Railway General Manager and the Lumding Divisional Railway Manager, reached the spot. Passengers from the affected coaches were temporarily shifted to vacant berths in other coaches. The train resumed its journey towards Guwahati around 6.15 am. Railway officials said that additional coaches would be attached at Guwahati to accommodate passengers before the train continued towards its final destination.