The number of elephants killed in a train accident in Assam’s Hojai district has risen to eight. Officials confirmed the latest death on Sunday. A young calf, which had been undergoing treatment at the Kaziranga Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre, could not survive its injuries.
Forest staff said the calf was believed to be only two to three days old. It had suffered serious injuries after a herd of elephants was hit by the Sairang–New Delhi Rajdhani Express in the early hours of Saturday. The calf was moved from the accident site in a critical condition and taken to Kaziranga for specialised care.
The collision took place around 2.17 am near Kampur in Hojai district. According to reports, the herd was crossing the railway track when the New Delhi-bound Rajdhani Express struck them. The impact was strong enough to derail the locomotive and five coaches of the premium service. 
Railway officials said there were no passenger injuries or deaths in the accident. However, rail services along the route were disrupted for several hours. Engineers and workers were deployed to restore the tracks and remove the derailed coaches.
