According to railway officials, the high-speed premium train, operating as 20507 DN, struck a herd of elephants that had come onto the tracks, leading to the derailment of the locomotive and five coaches. While no passengers or crew members were injured in the accident, eight elephants were killed on the spot, underscoring the severe impact of the collision.
Railway authorities confirmed that emergency response teams were rushed to the site immediately after the derailment. Rescue and restoration operations were launched to secure the affected coaches, assess track damage, and ensure passenger safety. Senior officials from the railways reached the location to supervise relief work and initiate technical inspections.
The derailment temporarily disrupted rail movement on the route as officials worked to clear the track and restore normal operations. Forest department personnel were also deployed to manage the aftermath involving wildlife casualties and to coordinate with railway authorities.
The incident once again highlights the growing challenge of safeguarding wildlife corridors that intersect with busy rail networks, particularly in ecologically sensitive regions of Northeast India. As investigations continue, the tragedy has reignited concerns over railway safety measures in elephant habitats and the urgent need for effective preventive systems to avoid such devastating encounters in the future.
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