Bagh Express Collision: Male Elephant Killed Near Rudrapur
A male elephant died after a collision with the Bagh Express train near Rudrapur. Read more about the incident and the aftermath.
Tragedy struck the Terai Central Forest Division on Wednesday when a male elephant was killed after being hit by the 13020 Bagh Express. The fatal accident occurred as the animal was attempting to cross the railway tracks between the Chhatarpur and Haldi stations, specifically near railway pillar number 55/8 within the Rudrapur range.
The Moment of Impact
The Bagh Express was traveling from Lalkuan toward Rudrapur when it collided with the elephant. The force of the impact was so severe that it resulted in the animal's death and caused one of its tusks to break off.
Following the collision, railway officials acted quickly to secure the detached tusk. This valuable piece of ivory is scheduled to be officially handed over to the forest department today.
Administrative Response and Delays
The incident triggered immediate alarm across both the railway and forest administrations. Forest Range Officer Rupnarayan Gautam rushed to the site, accompanied by a team of forest department personnel and railway officials to assess the damage and manage the situation.
The collision did not just result in the loss of wildlife but also disrupted travel schedules. Railway operations in the area were delayed for approximately 90 minutes as officials dealt with the aftermath of the accident.
Next Steps: Post-Mortem Examination
To determine the exact cause and nature of the injuries, a formal investigation is underway. A team of veterinarians from the forest department is scheduled to conduct a post-mortem examination of the elephant, which is expected to begin by 11:00 AM.