New Delhi - At least five elephants were killed when they were hit by a train while crossing railway tracks in eastern India, officials said Thursday.
The passenger train hit a herd of around 40 elephants that was crossing the line in the Chapramari sanctuary in West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri district on Wednesday evening, said NC Bahuguna, the state’s main wildlife conservator.
Five elephants were killed on the spot while another critically injured one was being treated on the spot, he said.
There have been over 120 elephant deaths in India due to train collisions since 1987, according to the Wildlife Trust of India.