Rajdhani Express Derails After Hitting Elephant Herd In Jamunamukh, Seven Jumbos Killed

A tragic incident unfolded in the early hours of Saturday, when the Anand Vihar–Sairang Rajdhani Express (Train No. 20507) derailed after hitting a herd of elephants in Assam. As per NF Railway, the accident occurred around 2:17 am in the Jamunamukh–Kampur section under the Lumding Division of the Northeast Frontier Railway.

According to initial reports from the spot, six elephant calves were first seen moving onto the railway track and underneath the stationary train, triggering panic among passengers. Many travellers reportedly vacated their seats and shifted coaches, fearing for their safety. Visuals from the scene showed passengers visibly distressed as railway staff tried to manage the tense situation. The incident was reported by Suhail Ahmed, who was travelling by the same train.

Moments later, the train allegedly collided with a herd of elephants, resulting in the derailment of the locomotive and five coaches. Confirming the incident, Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, Chief Public Relations Officer of the Northeast Frontier Railway, said that no casualties or injuries were reported among passengers. He added that Accident Relief Trains and senior railway officials from the divisional headquarters were immediately rushed to the site.

However, the collision proved fatal for wildlife. Nagaon divisional forest officer Suhash Kadam told PTI that the accident in Changjurai village is suspected to have occurred due to heavy fog in the area.

“Autopsy of the seven dead jumbos is underway, and treatment is on for the injured one by local veterinary doctors. Cremation will be done near the accident site. Legal formalities are being followed,” he said.

NF Railway’s CPRO claimed that the accident took place at a location which is not a designated elephant corridor. “The train driver, on observing the herd of elephants, applied emergency brakes. However, the jumbos dashed with the train,” he added.

The Rajdhani Express was travelling to Anand Vihar from Sairang at the time of the mishap. The accident site, Jamunamukh, is a town located in Assam’s Hojai district, an area known for frequent elephant movement along railway tracks.

Train services on the affected section were disrupted following the derailment, while restoration work and investigations into the cause of the accident are currently underway.

With inputs from Suhail Ahmed at the spot of the accident.