A tragic incident occurred on December 16, 2023, when a high-speed passenger train collided with a herd of elephants in Assam, India. Seven wild Asiatic elephants lost their lives, and one calf sustained injuries as the Rajdhani Express struck the animals while they were crossing the railway tracks. This incident highlights ongoing challenges faced by wildlife and railway systems in the region.
Local authorities reported that the collision took place in a forested area approximately 125 kilometers (about 78 miles) southeast of Assam’s capital, Guwahati. The train driver noticed the herd of around 100 elephants and activated the emergency brakes; however, the train was unable to stop in time. According to Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, a spokesperson for Indian Railways, five train coaches and the engine derailed as a result of the impact, although no human casualties were reported.
Veterinarians conducted autopsies on the deceased elephants, and plans were made for their burial later that day. The accident underscores the risks that elephants face on railway tracks. While railway lines in Assam are frequently traversed by elephants, the specific location of this incident is not designated as an elephant corridor.
The Rajdhani Express, which had 650 passengers on board, was traveling from Sairang in Mizoram to the national capital, New Delhi. Following the collision, Indian Railways took prompt action by detaching the derailed coaches and allowing the train to continue its journey to New Delhi. Passengers from the affected coaches were transferred to a different train headed to Guwahati.
This incident is part of a worrying trend in Assam, which is home to an estimated 7,000 wild Asiatic elephants, one of the largest populations in India. Since 2020, at least a dozen elephants have been killed by speeding trains across the state, particularly during the harvesting season when wild elephants often wander into agricultural areas in search of food.
As the human-elephant conflict continues to escalate, authorities are urged to implement measures to protect both wildlife and railway operations. Improved safety protocols and designated wildlife corridors could play a crucial role in preventing such tragedies in the future.
The situation calls for a collaborative effort between conservationists, railway authorities, and local communities to find sustainable solutions that ensure the safety of both elephants and train passengers.