Elephants vs. Trains: A Deadly Clash in India

In a tragic event, seven elephants lost their lives when a fast-moving passenger train collided with a herd crossing railway tracks in Assam, India. The train driver tried to stop, but it was too late to avoid the accident. The impact derailed five coaches and the engine, but amazingly, no people were hurt. Vets examined the elephants and found out what happened. The accident took place in a forested area about 125 kilometers from Guwahati, the capital of Assam. Even though elephants often use these tracks, this spot wasn't an official elephant crossing.The train, called the Rajdhani Express, was on its way from Sairang to New Delhi with 650 passengers. After the crash, the undamaged coaches were separated, and the train continued its journey. Around 200 passengers from the derailed coaches were taken to Guwahati on another train. This isn't the first time elephants have been hit by trains in Assam. The state has around 7, 000 wild elephants, and since 2020, at least a dozen have been killed by speeding trains. Elephants often wander into human areas during harvest season, which makes these accidents more likely. Why do these accidents keep happening? Maybe it's time to think about better ways to protect both elephants and people.