Assam: Rajdhani Express Derails After Collision With Wild Elephants, Rail Services Disrupted

A Rajdhani Express train derailed after colliding with a herd of wild elephants in Assam on Saturday morning, disrupting rail services across parts of the Northeast.

The incident took place in the Jamunamukh–Kampur section under the Lumding Division of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR). The Sairang–New Delhi Rajdhani Express struck a herd of elephants, causing the locomotive and five coaches to derail. Railway authorities confirmed that no passengers were injured in the accident.

Local residents claimed that the herd comprised around eight elephants and alleged that several animals were killed in the collision. The accident site is located approximately 126 kilometres from Guwahati.

Following the derailment, accident relief trains and senior railway officials rushed to the spot to carry out rescue and restoration operations.

Railway sources said train services to Upper Assam and other parts of the Northeast were severely affected due to the derailment and the presence of elephant carcasses and debris on the tracks.

Passengers from the affected coaches were temporarily shifted to vacant berths in other coaches of the train. Officials said that once the train reaches Guwahati, additional coaches will be attached to accommodate all passengers, after which the Rajdhani Express will resume its onward journey.

According to railway officials, the accident occurred at a location that is not a designated elephant corridor. The loco pilot applied emergency brakes after spotting the herd on the tracks, but the elephants reportedly moved towards the train, resulting in the collision and subsequent derailment.