Elephant calf mowed down by goods train in Odisha’s Rourkela

In a tragic incident for animal lovers in the State, an elephant calf was mowed down by a goods train in Sundargarh district on Monday evening.

The goods train reportedly hit a herd of elephants near Bondamunda of Rourkela causing the death of one of the pachyderms on the spot.

As per reports, the local residents were in a state of panic after a herd of elephants entered the residential areas. While they were driving away the jumbo herd, the wild animals ran in the direction of the running goods train. In the process, one of the elephants was hit by the train and was killed on the spot. Some other elephants are expected to have sustained injuries.

Upon being informed, Forest Department officials and local police reached the spot. They are carrying out an investigation into the incident and are taking all necessary steps.

However, no reactions could be obtained from the police, Forest Department and Railway officials in this regard.

Notably, trains passing through that line were directed to slower than the normal speed following information about the presence of the elephants in the area. However, as per sources, it is expected that the accident happened due to the high speed of the goods train.