The death toll from a tragic train collision with an elephant herd in Assam rose to eight on Sunday after a severely injured newborn calf succumbed to its wounds. The incident, which has sent shockwaves across the nation, occurred in the early hours of Saturday near Sangjurai village, highlighting the persistent danger railways pose to wildlife in the region.
Newborn Calf Succumbs, Raising Toll to Eight
The final victim was a male elephant calf, less than fifteen days old, who was being treated at the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC) in Kaziranga. The calf suffered a leg fracture, spinal injury, and severe internal injuries in the collision and passed away at around 10:40 am on Sunday, as confirmed by Kampur range forest officer Shamim Aktar.
This death followed the immediate killing of seven other elephants when the Delhi-bound Sairang (Mizoram)-New Delhi Rajdhani Express struck the herd at 2:17 am on Saturday. The accident took place in the Jamunamukh-Kampur section of the Northeast Frontier (NF) Railway. Four of the seven initial fatalities were also calves, making the loss particularly devastating for the local elephant population.
Safety Lapses and Immediate Railway Response
Preliminary assessments of the accident site revealed a critical lack of safety infrastructure. There was no intrusion detection system (IDS) installed to warn train drivers of animals on the tracks. Local villagers have suggested that dense fog during the night may have further reduced visibility, contributing to the tragedy.
In response, NF Railway swiftly implemented emergency measures. A speed restriction of 30 kmph was imposed for all trains within a one-kilometer radius of the accident site. NF Railway Chief Public Relations Officer KK Sharma stated that restoration work was completed by Saturday evening. He added, "We immediately deployed a watchman for round-the-clock duty to guard 500 metres on both sides of the accident site." These precautionary steps are mandated to remain for at least one week, with further instructions expected.
Ongoing Threat as Herds Roam Nearby
The danger is far from over for forest and railway authorities. Two large elephant herds are currently roaming within two kilometers of the accident site, raising fears of another potential collision. Forest officials reported one herd of approximately 60 elephants in Bherbheri, just 1.5 km away, and another group of about 30 elephants in Natun Gaon.
"Forest guards are on high alert to protect these herds, which may attempt to cross the rail track at any moment," a senior forest official said. The urgency was underscored by reports that one herd had already crossed the track near the accident site three times during the early hours of Sunday.
The gravity of the incident prompted Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to direct the state forest department to conduct a detailed enquiry. The CM also ordered steps to further secure wildlife corridors, especially during seasons of low visibility like winter fog.
