A Delhi-bound passenger train has collided with a herd of elephants in northeast India, killing at least seven of the wild animals and causing some of the carriages to derail, according to local officials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The incident happened at around 2:17 a.m. on Saturday when the Rajdhani Express Train No. 20507, traveling between Sairang and New Delhi, hit at least eight elephants in the Hojai district of Assam state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said seven elephants were killed, including three adults and four calves. There were conflicting reports about the condition of the eighth elephant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Northeast Frontier Railway said the collision caused the locomotive and five carriages to derail, but none of the passengers were injured. The train resumed its journey at 6:11 a.m. after the affected carriages were decoupled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The incident took place at a location which is not designated elephant corridor,” the rail company said in a statement. “The loco pilot on observing the herd of elephants applied emergency brakes. However elephants dashed with the train.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sarma said he was “deeply saddened” by Saturday’s train accident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“I have directed the Forest Department to conduct a detailed enquiry on this deeply disturbing accident and take steps to further secure our wildlife corridors, particularly during low visibility seasons,” he said<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At least 86 elephants have been killed in train collisions across India since 2020, according<\/a> to the environment ministry. Measures, such as sensor-based detection systems, have been taken at some locations to reduce accidents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n India, treno investe un branco di elefanti nello stato di Assam, uccidendone sette sul colpo. Deragliati alcuni vagoni, nessun passeggero ferito @ultimoranet<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/LP474yPeuZ<\/a><\/p>— Ultimora.net (@ultimoranet) December 20, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote>