Eight elephants were killed and one injured after the Sairang–New DelhiRajdhani Express rammed into a herd in Assam’s Hojai district early Saturday, December 20, 2025. The collision led to the derailment of the locomotive and five coaches, though no passengers were injured, railway and forest officials confirmed.

The accident occurred around 2.17 am on the Jamunamukh–Kampur section under the Lumding Division of the Northeast Frontier (NF) Railway. According to officials, the loco pilot applied emergency brakes after spotting the elephants on the track, but was unable to prevent the impact.

Rescue, Diversions and Passenger Arrangements

According to the official press release by the railways, accident relief trains and senior railway officials, including the General Manager of NF Railway and the Divisional Railway Manager of Lumding, rushed to the site. Forest officials from the Nagaon division also reached the spot to assess wildlife casualties and coordinate response efforts.

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Train services on the affected section were disrupted, with scheduled trains diverted through the UP line. Restoration work is currently underway. The derailed Rajdhani, after detaching the affected coaches, departed the site for Guwahati at 6.11 am. Railway authorities said additional coaches would be attached at Guwahati to accommodate passengers from the damaged coaches before the train resumes its onward journey.

Passengers from the affected coaches were temporarily shifted to vacant berths in other coaches.

Not a Notified Elephant Corridor

Railway officials clarified that the accident site is not a designated elephant corridor. Nevertheless, the incident has renewed concerns over train movement through wildlife habitats in Assam.

Helpline numbers have been activated at Guwahati railway station: 0361-2731621, 0361-2731622 and 0361-2731623.