Odisha: Speeding Train Kills Jumbo In Sambalpur

Sambalpur: An elephant was killed after being hit by Bhubaneswar-Rourkela Intercity Express near Gargadbahal village between Jujumura and Hatibari area of the district on Saturday.

According to local sources, the speeding train hit the pachyderm while it was crossing the railway track.

Receiving the information, Forest and Railway officials reached the spot and started an investigation into the incident.

“The exact reason of the elephant’s death could be ascertained only after the post-mortem of the body,” said a forest official.

Earlier this week, the carcass of a 12-year-old wild elephant had been found in a paddy field at Jadu Loisinga area under Sadar forest range. The elephant died after coming in contact with a live wire.

Some miscreants had deliberately laid the live electric wires to prevent an elephant herd entering into paddy fields which caused the death of the tusker.

In another incident this week, a three-month-old elephant calf had lost its life after it accidentally got stuck in mud at Laugarh village near Ratanei forest range in Aska.

(Edited by Rashmi Ranjan Mohanty)