Late night on Friday (19 December 2025) in Hojai district of Assam, a herd of elephants got hit by the Sairang-New Delhi Rajdhani Express, due to which 7 elephants died and another was injured. An officer of the Forest Department gave this information. Officials said that 5 coaches and the engine of the train also derailed. Initially all 8 elephants were reported dead, however it was later said that one of them was found injured. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed grief over the matter on Twitter earlier.
He wrote that he is extremely saddened by the death of 7 elephants, three adults and four cubs in a tragic train accident this morning. I have directed the Forest Department to conduct a detailed investigation into this extremely worrying accident and take steps to enhance the protection of our wildlife corridors, especially during low visibility seasons.
Officials related to the case said that the post-mortem of the seven dead elephants is being done and the injured elephant is being treated by local veterinarians. Legal formalities are being completed. Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) chief spokesperson Kapinjal Kishore Sharma said that the accident occurred in the Jamunamukh-Kampur section under Lumding division. This area is located at a distance of about 126 kilometers from Guwahati. He claimed that the accident happened at a place which is not a designated corridor for elephants. Sharma said, “The train driver applied emergency brakes after seeing the herd of elephants. Still, the elephants were hit by the train.
We are deeply saddened by the death of seven elephants – three adults and four calves – in a tragic train collision earlier today.
I have directed the Forest Department to conduct a detailed inquiry on this deeply disturbing accident and take steps to further secure our…
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) December 20, 2025
left for Guwahati
NFR spokesperson said that the passengers of the affected coaches have been temporarily accommodated on the vacant seats available in other coaches and the train left for Guwahati at 6.11 am. However, the affected coaches were left at the site of the incident. He said that additional coaches will be added to the train in Guwahati to accommodate the passengers and after that the train will resume its journey. Sharma said that trains passing through the affected section are being passed through the up line and the work of restoration of rail traffic is going on. Sairang-New Delhi Rajdhani Express connects Sairang (near Aizawl) in Mizoram with Anand Vihar Terminal (Delhi).
Also read: Exclusive: Story of Raja Raghuvanshi murder case, in the words of police chargesheet…
