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In a rather tragic accident Eight elephants were killed, and one was injured after a herd of jumbos was hit by the Sairang-New Delhi Rajdhani Express in Assam’s Hojai district early Saturday, officials said.
Five coaches and the train’s engine also derailed, they said. No passengers were injured in the accident, which occurred at 2.17 am, they said.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has asked the forest department to conduct a detailed enquiry and secure wildlife corridors, while state Congress president Gaurav Gogoi blamed “unplanned and poorly regulated development under the present government” for the accident.
The death of eight elephants after a collision with the Rajdhani Express in Assam is deeply concerning and underscores the growing challenge of human–animal conflict in the state.
Such incidents point to the rapid loss and fragmentation of natural habitats in recent years.…
— Gaurav Gogoi (@GauravGogoiAsm) December 20, 2025
According to media reports , Top Forest department officers have reached the site and will take up the matter with Railway officials to prevent recurrence of such incidents.
Several trains have been cancelled, regulated or short-terminated following the mishap.
Nagaon divisional forest officer Suhas Kadam told PTI that the accident in Changjurai village is suspected to have occurred due to heavy fog in the area.
