Eight Elephants Killed After Rajdhani Express Hits Herd in Assam’s Hojai District
Engine and five coaches derail after train hits elephant herd; rail traffic disrupted, probe underway
Nagaon/Guwahati, Dec 20: At least eight elephants were killed and one injured after a herd was hit by the Sairang–New Delhi Rajdhani Express in Assam’s Hojai district in the early hours of Saturday, forest officials said.
The incident occurred around 2.17 am at Changjurai area of Hojai district, when the New Delhi bound train ploughed into the herd crossing the tracks. The impact led to the derailment of the train’s engine and five coaches, though no passenger injuries were reported, according to a spokesperson of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR).
Nagaon Divisional Forest Officer Suhash Kadam said he, along with other forest officials, rushed to the site soon after the accident. Rescue and assessment operations are currently underway, and the injured elephant is being monitored by veterinary teams.
Following the derailment, train services on the Jamunamukh–Kampur section were disrupted. The NFR said trains scheduled on the affected route have been diverted via the UP line, while restoration work is in progress to resume normal rail traffic.
The Sairang–New Delhi Rajdhani Express connects Sairang near Aizawl in Mizoram with Anand Vihar Terminal in Delhi and is among the longest rail routes in the region.
