The train derails in Sri Lanka after breaking into elephants

A Sri Lanka passenger train derailed on Thursday after breaking into a family of elephants, with no injured passengers, but six animals killed in the worst such accident in the island’s wildlife, police said.

Express Train traveled close to a wildlife reserve in Habarana, about 180 kilometers east of the capital Colombo, when the flock crosses the line before dawn.

“The train was derailed, but there were no casualties between passengers,” police said, adding that the authorities of the wild fauna were facing two elephants survived by the crash.

The videos shot after the accident showed an elephant standing a guard over an injured young man next to the routes, with the edges of their logs dominating together.

The murder or harm of elephants is a criminal offense in Sri Lanka, which has estimated 7,000 wild elephants, with animals being considered a national treasure, partly because of their importance in Buddhist culture.

Two baby elephants and their pregnant mother were killed in a similar accident by a train in the same area in September 2018.

Since then, authorities have ordered train drivers to observe speed limits to minimize elephant injury when passing through areas where they cross the lines.

Elephant deaths come days after the authorities were expressed on the growing effect of conflict between humans and elephants, as the ancient animal habitat is more and more violated.

Farmers who scratch them from small plots often fight behind the elephants who raid their crops.

Deputy Minister of the Environment Anton Jayakoma said AFP On Sunday that 150 people and 450 elephants were killed in clashes in 2023.

This is an increase in last year, when 145 people and 433 elephants were killed, according to official data.

Only these two years represent more than one tenth of the island’s elephants.

But Jayakody said she was sure that the government could find solutions.

“We are planning to introduce multiple obstacles – these may include electric fences, trenches or other deterrents – to make it more difficult for wild elephants to move away in villages,” Jayakody said.