Two Elephants Crushed By Train Near Rourkela In Odisha; 3rd Accident In 2 Months

Sundergarh: Two elephants were reportedly mowed down by a goods train at Mahipani, 30 km away from Odisha’s Rourkela city, late on Wednesday.

According to media reports, the accident took place while a herd of elephants was crossing the tracks around 1 am. Two wagons of the train, which was heading towards Shalimar from Nashik, derailed in the collision. On being informed, railways officials and forest officials reached the place and initiated an investigation.

Movement of trains on the Howrah-Mumbai route was affected due to the restoration work.

This was the 31st such death in Odisha in 10 years and the third in the last two months.

On December 20, 2020, a tusker was crushed to death under the wheels of Puri-Surat Express train near Bhabanipali between Hatibari and Maneswar Railway stations under Sambalpur division.

On December 5, 2020, a 12-year-old elephant had died after it was run over by Rourkela Intercity Express near Gadgabagal bridge between Jujumura and Hatibari railway stations in Sambalpur district.