Archive · 22 Dec 2025
Assam train-elephant collision: 8 elephants killed
A train in Assam, India, hit a group of elephants.
Eight elephants died, including a baby elephant that got hurt and died the next day.
The train had five cars and its engine come off the tracks, but no people on the train got hurt.
A group that cares about wildlife is very sad and wants a big investigation to find out why this happened.
They say the train was going too fast and that the people in charge of trains and forests should do more to protect the elephants.
They want better rules and technology to stop this from happening again.
A train collision with a herd of elephants in Assam's Hojai district killed eight elephants, including a calf that died from its injuries the next day.
The Sairang–New Delhi Rajdhani Express hit the herd, causing five coaches and the engine to derail, but no passengers were injured.
Kaziranga Wildlife Society (KWS) demands a judicial inquiry, citing alleged flouting of a 2014 Supreme Court order on speed limits.
KWS criticizes the Railways and Forest Department for lacking sincerity and commitment in preventing elephant deaths on tracks.
KWS calls for a foolproof protocol with mandated responsibilities and the use of technology to monitor elephant movement near tracks.
- Who
- Kaziranga Wildlife Society (KWS), Railways, Forest Department
- What
- Collision between a passenger train and a herd of elephants
- When
- Saturday, December 21, 2024 (calf died Sunday, December 22, 2024)
- Where
- Near Kampur, Hojai district, Assam
- Why
- The train allegedly flouted a 2014 Supreme Court order on speed limit, hitting the herd of elephants
Kaziranga Wildlife Society (KWS)
Railways and Forest Department
Need for a judicial inquiry
Kaziranga Wildlife Society (KWS)
KWS demands a judicial inquiry to identify problem areas and fix accountability.
Railways and Forest Department
No official response from Railways or Forest Department on this demand.
Protocol and responsibility
Kaziranga Wildlife Society (KWS)
KWS calls for a foolproof protocol with mandated responsibilities for multiple stakeholders.
Railways and Forest Department
Railways and Forest Department are accused of lacking sincerity and commitment in preventing elephant deaths.
Use of technology and vigilance
Kaziranga Wildlife Society (KWS)
KWS emphasizes the need for physical vigilance and technology to monitor elephant movement near tracks.
Railways and Forest Department
Railways and Forest Department are criticized for not implementing adequate measures.
- Location
- Near Kampur, Hojai district, Assam
- Date
- Saturday, December 21, 2024
- Train
- Sairang–New Delhi Rajdhani Express
- Elephants killed
- 8
- Injured calf
- 1 (died Sunday)
- Train damage
- 5 coaches and engine derailed
- Passenger injuries
- 0
- Caution order
- 12 hours from 5 pm Saturday
- Supreme Court order
- Speed limit cap of 30 to 40 kmph in vulnerable stretches
Sources
Assam train-elephant collision toll rises to eight as injured calf dies, officials confirm
Elephant-train collision: Injured calf dies, toll rises to 8
DC Edit | Tragedy Of Train-tusker Conflict
24 Elephants Killed By Trains In Assam In 5 Years
