Sairang-New Delhi Rajdhani Express Mows Down 7 Elephants in Assam, 5 Coaches Derailed

PTI, NAGAON/GUWAHATI, DEC 20, 2025: Seven 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 added.

Initially, all eight elephants were reported to have been killed, though later it was said that one of the calves was found injured. Fortunately, no passengers were injured in the accident, which occurred at 2:17 am.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has asked the Forest Department to conduct a detailed inquiry and secure wildlife corridors. Meanwhile, state Congress president Gaurav Gogoi blamed "unplanned and poorly regulated development under the present government" for the accident.

Top Forest Department officers have reached the site and will take up the matter with Railway officials to prevent the 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. "Autopsy of the dead jumbos is underway, and treatment is on for the injured one by local veterinary doctors. Cremation will be done near the accident site. Legal formalities are being followed," he said.

NFR chief spokesperson Kapinjal Kishore Sharma said the accident took place in the Jamunamukh-Kampur section under the Lumding division, about 126 km from Guwahati. The Sairang-New Delhi Rajdhani Express connects Mizoram's Sairang (near Aizawl) to the Anand Vihar Terminal in Delhi.

He claimed that the accident occurred at a location that is not a designated elephant corridor. "The train driver, on observing the herd of elephants, applied emergency brakes. However, the jumbos dashed with the train," he added. Sharma said accident relief trains and top officials, including the NFR general manager and the divisional railway manager of Lumding, reached the site soon after the mishap.

Helpline numbers — 0361-2731621 / 2731622 / 2731623 — have been activated at Guwahati railway station, he added.

Meanwhile, the chief minister ordered a thorough inquiry into the accident. "We are deeply saddened by the death of seven elephants — three adults and four calves — in a tragic train collision earlier today," he said in a post on X. "I have directed the Forest Department to conduct a detailed enquiry on this deeply disturbing accident and take steps to further secure our wildlife corridors, particularly during low visibility seasons," Sarma added.