Train Derailment in Assam’s Hojai District Following Collision with Elephant Herd

A passenger train traveling to New Delhi derailed in the Hojai district of Assam early Saturday morning after colliding with a herd of elephants. The incident, which occurred at approximately 2:15 a.m., resulted in the death of eight elephants and caused the locomotive and five coaches to veer off the tracks.

According to a spokesperson for Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), the collision took place in an area not previously identified as a standard elephant corridor. While one additional elephant was reported injured, railway officials confirmed that no passengers sustained injuries during the derailment.

The NFR released a statement clarifying that the locomotive pilot attempted to avoid the collision by applying emergency brakes immediately upon spotting the herd on the tracks. Despite these efforts, the momentum of the train led to the impact and subsequent derailment of the engine and five following carriages.

Local authorities and railway technical teams have been deployed to the site to begin recovery operations and clear the tracks for resumed service. An investigation into the circumstances of the accident is expected to follow as the region assesses the impact on local wildlife populations.