Iron-Ore Laden Train Hits Elephant Herd In Keonjhar; Three Jumbos Injured
(Joda)
Pragativadi News Service
May 19, 2022
As many as three elephants have been reportedly injured after being hit by
an iron-ore laden train near Bansapani Behera hutting under Joda police
station limits in Keonjhar district on Thursday.
According to reports, the incident took place this evening when the goods
train hit a 22-member elephant herd that was crossing the railway line near
Bansapani Behera hutting injuring one female elephant and two baby jumbos.
Sources said, the injured pachyderms are still on the railway tracks and
train services on the route have been halted due to the presence of the
elephant herd.
Till the last report came in, the forest personnel were keeping a safe
distance from the spot as the herd has been behaving aggressively after the
mishap and standing guard with the injured ones. Due to the darkness at the
accident spot, the forest personnel are yet to ascertain if there was any
casualty.
According to sources, the elephant herd was found wandering in the
Bichakundi forest not far from the Champua Range’s Joda Section. The
elephant herd has been seen repeatedly changing locations due to widespread
deforestation and mining activities in the forest area.
Reports added that the elephant herd has been camping in nearby forests for
a week. Prior to this, a number of elephants have been killed in similar
train accidents at the same spot, and the forest department is yet to put
barricades at the spot to avert such mishaps.
https://pragativadi.com/iron-ore-laden-train-hits-elephant-herd-in-keonjhar-three-jumbos-injured/