Sub-Adult Elephant Succumbs to Injuries After Train Collision in Latehar
A tragic incident unfolded in Latehar district, Jharkhand, when a sub-adult elephant was fatally struck by an empty goods train on Monday evening. The collision occurred between the Nindra and Mahua Milaan railway stations, leading to the elephant's death during the intervening night, as confirmed by officials on Tuesday.
Herd's Aggressive Response Halts Railway Operations
The accident took place as a herd of elephants was crossing the railway tracks. In the aftermath, the other elephants in the group turned aggressive and blocked the railway line for several hours. This forced authorities to suspend all train movement on the route, causing significant disruptions.
Forest teams faced immense challenges in reaching the injured elephant due to the herd's hostile behavior. Sources indicated that the elephants chased away anyone attempting to approach, delaying treatment efforts. The injured animal battled for over six hours before succumbing to its injuries.
Details of the Incident and Official Statements
The train involved was en route to Barkakana when the accident happened near pole number 172/32 under the Dhanbad division of the East Central Railway. Regional chief conservator of forest (RCCF), Palamu, S R Natesha, described the elephant's struggle, stating, "The injured elephant put up a brave fight. It once rose, walked a few steps, and then died."
According to reports, the sub-adult elephant was the last in the herd to cross the tracks when it was hit. Kumar, an official, noted that the engine driver immediately informed authorities, who anticipated the herd's angry reaction. Natesha added, "My officers told me that the herd chased away anyone who tried to approach the injured elephant."
Major Train Disruptions and Delays
The blockade led to extensive train diversions and delays. Daltonganj railway station superintendent Umesh Kumar provided details, saying, "Three long-distance trains — the Up Bhopal Express and Down trains such as the Sambalpur–Tata Express and the Santaragachi Express — were diverted." He further mentioned that five other important trains, including the Delhi Garib Rath, Tata Express, Patna Express, Varanasi Express, and Sasaram Express, experienced delays ranging from four to seven hours.
Railway services were eventually restored past midnight after assessments were conducted. Tori railway station superintendent Kumar explained, "DFO Latehar Pravesh Agrawal and I travelled in a light engine to assess the situation before trains were allowed to run under a caution notice."
Investigation and Preventive Measures
In response to the tragedy, the forest department has announced a probe to determine the exact cause. Natesha emphasized the need for stricter enforcement of safety protocols, stating, "There is a definite SOP. The Railways have been asked to enforce speed limits in elephant-prone zones. We have also sought the creation of an elephant control cell to ensure proper communication." This incident highlights ongoing concerns about wildlife safety in areas where railway lines intersect with elephant habitats.
