Rourkela: An elephant calf was mowed down by a goods train in Odisha’s Sundargarh district on Monday evening.
According to sources, the accident took place around 9.30 pm on the Howrah-Mumbai line near Bondamunda in the Bisra Range of the Rourkela Forest Division as local residents were attempting to shoo away a herd of 26 elephants that had sneaked into residential areas. While a calf was crushed under the wheels of the train, some other elephants are suspected to have sustained injuries.
The elephant herd had travelled from the Kudurbahal forest and was heading towards Pokharabahal when the accident took place. Following the calf’s death, the herd, including its mother, lingered near the site.
On being informed, Forest Department officials and local police reached the spot and began an investigation into the incident.
Notably, trains on that route were directed to reduce speed following information about the presence of the elephants in the area.