Assam Train-Elephant Collision: Rajdhani Express Derails, Eight Elephants Dead, One Calf Injured
Train derails after colliding with elephant herd in Assam.
A devastating collision involving the Sairang-New Delhi Rajdhani Express and a herd of elephants resulted in the deaths of at least eight elephants and serious injuries to one calf in Assam's Hojai district during the early hours of Saturday, December 20, 2025. The forceful impact not only claimed the lives of these majestic animals but also caused the locomotive and five coaches of the premium train to derail, marking yet another grim incident highlighting the escalating conflict between wildlife conservation and expanding railway infrastructure in the region.
The incident unfolded around 2:17 am when the high-speed train, operating on its route connecting Sairang in Mizoram near Aizawl to Anand Vihar Terminal in Delhi, suddenly encountered the herd on the tracks approximately 126 kilometers from Guwahati. Forest department officials swiftly arrived at the scene, confirming the tragic toll of eight adult elephants killed on the spot while managing to rescue the injured calf, which is now under veterinary care for recovery.
Despite the vigilant efforts of the loco pilot, who immediately applied emergency brakes upon sighting the elephants ahead, the herd charged toward the oncoming train, leading to an unavoidable and catastrophic collision. Authorities noted that the accident site falls outside any officially designated elephant corridor, underscoring the unpredictable nature of wildlife movements and the urgent need for enhanced mitigation measures such as speed restrictions or barrier systems in vulnerable stretches.
Railway response teams, including accident relief trains and senior officials, were promptly mobilized to the remote location to undertake restoration operations amid challenging conditions. The presence of scattered elephant remains across the tracks has caused significant disruptions to train services heading toward Upper Assam and various other destinations in the Northeast, affecting schedules and passenger movements on multiple routes.
To minimize inconvenience, passengers from the derailed coaches were promptly relocated to available berths in the unaffected portions of the train. Officials have assured that upon arrival at Guwahati station, additional coaches will be coupled to the composition, ensuring all travelers can continue their journey comfortably once clearance and safety checks are completed.
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