A tragic railway accident unfolded in the early hours of Saturday in Assam’s Hojai district when the Sairang–New Delhi Rajdhani Express struck a group of elephants on the tracks, resulting in the deaths of eight animals and injuries to one more. The impact caused five coaches of the premium train to derail, officials confirmed.

The incident took place around 2.15 am on the Jamunamukh–Kampur stretch under the Lumding Division of the Northeast Frontier Railway. According to railway authorities, a herd of elephants suddenly appeared on the tracks ahead of the speeding train. Despite the locomotive pilot applying emergency brakes, the train could not stop in time, leading to a devastating collision.

No injuries or fatalities were reported among passengers or crew members.

Senior officials of the Northeast Frontier Railway, including the General Manager and the Divisional Railway Manager of Lumding, immediately reached the site to oversee rescue and recovery operations. Passengers from the affected coaches were shifted to vacant berths in other compartments to ensure their safety and comfort.

After necessary checks and temporary arrangements, the train resumed its journey towards Guwahati at around 6.15 am. Railway officials said additional coaches would be attached at Guwahati to accommodate passengers before the train continued towards its final destination in Delhi.

The accident disrupted rail movement along the Jamunamukh–Kampur section, with several trains being diverted via alternate routes. Forest and railway authorities worked jointly at the site to clear the tracks and manage the situation.

Subhash Kadam, a forest official from Assam’s Nagaon Division who arrived at the scene, said restoration efforts were underway while wildlife officials assessed the impact of the accident.

The Sairang–New Delhi Rajdhani Express operates between Sairang near Aizawl in Mizoram and Anand Vihar Terminal in the national capital, passing through several forested and elephant-prone regions of the Northeast.