Seven elephants killed after high-speed train hits herd crossing tracks in Assam, India

Seven wild Asiatic elephants were killed and a calf injured when a Rajdhani Express collided with a herd crossing railway tracks in Assam early Saturday, local officials said. The incident occurred in a forested area roughly 125 kilometers southeast of Guwahati. The train, traveling from Sairang in Mizoram toward New Delhi with about 650 passengers on board, struck several elephants as the herd moved across the line.

Railway officials said the train driver spotted the herd of about 100 elephants and applied the emergency brakes, but the impact occurred before the train could stop completely. The collision caused the engine and five coaches to derail. There were no reported human casualties, and authorities said steps were taken to minimize risk to passengers. About 200 passengers who were in the derailed coaches were relocated to a different train in Guwahati, and the rest of the service resumed after the undamaged cars were detached.

[Image: Elephants on tracks after crash]()

Veterinarians conducted necropsies on the deceased elephants, and the animals were scheduled to be buried later in the day, officials said. Assam is home to one of the largest concentrations of wild elephants in India, with estimates around 7,000 individuals. The state has long faced challenges balancing wildlife protection with railway and other infrastructure development.

The incident underscores the ongoing clash between fast-moving trains and elephant populations in Assam, where train-related deaths have occurred for years. Since 2020, multiple elephants have been killed by speeding trains in the state, highlighting the risk posed to wildlife when habitats intersect with rail corridors. Elephants in the region frequently venture into agricultural areas during November and December when rice fields are harvested, bringing them into closer contact with human settlements.

Officials noted that the location of this crash was not within a designated elephant corridor, an established route intended to guide elephant movement and reduce fatalities. The discrepancy between transit routes and wildlife pathways has prompted ongoing debates about mitigation measures, such as wildlife corridors, fencing, and altered train schedules in high-risk areas. In Assam, where at least 12 elephants have been killed by trains since 2020, authorities continue to assess responses and potential improvements to rail safety and wildlife management.

[Image: Train and wildlife in Assam]()

The Rajdhani Express involved in the accident was en route from Mizoram to New Delhi and carried about 650 passengers. After the derailment, railway officials said they worked to maintain service on the line and to divert traffic around the disaster area while rescue and recovery operations continued. The crash did not prompt widespread service cancellations beyond localized suspensions and diversions, according to regional railway authorities. Experts emphasize that the region’s growing rail network must be integrated with wildlife conservation strategies to reduce future risks for both elephants and travelers.

As investigations continue, authorities are reviewing signaling and track safety protocols in areas where elephant movements are common. The tragedy has renewed calls for enhanced wildlife management along rail corridors in northeast India, including better coordination with conservation agencies and investments in infrastructure that can help prevent future collisions between trains and large wildlife.