India News : A major accident was narrowly averted in Assam early Saturday when the 20507 Down Dibrugarh–New Delhi Rajdhani Express collided with a herd of elephants, causing the engine and five coaches to derail. Fortunately, no passengers were injured or killed in the incident.
According to railway officials, the accident occurred around 2:17 AM in the Jamunamukh–Kampur section under the Lumding Division, approximately 126 kilometers from Guwahati. Soon after the incident, accident relief trains and senior officials from the Lumding Division rushed to the site to begin rescue and restoration operations.
To assist passengers and their families, helpline numbers were activated at Guwahati Railway Station. The helpline numbers are 0361-2731621, 0361-2731622, and 0361-2731623. Senior officials, including the General Manager of Northeast Frontier Railway and the Divisional Railway Manager of Lumding, were present at the accident site to monitor the situation.
Railway authorities stated that after detaching the derailed coaches, the train resumed its journey towards Guwahati at 6:11 AM. Additional coaches will be attached at Guwahati before the train continues its onward journey to New Delhi.
Railway sources clarified that the accident occurred at a location not officially designated as an elephant corridor. The loco pilot applied emergency brakes upon spotting the elephants, but despite this, the collision could not be avoided.
Meanwhile, train services passing through the affected section have been diverted via the up line. Restoration work is underway, and efforts are being made to normalize rail traffic at the earliest.
