The passenger train derailed after hitting the herd of elephants near the nature reserve in the central Sri Lanka – writes the BBC. Although none of the passengers suffered, according to the police it was the worst accident of this type with the participation of wild animals – six elephants were killed.
The herd hit the herd on Thursday just before dawn in Habaran, east of the capital of the country, Kolombo. No injuries were noted among passengers of the derailed express train, but six elephants died, and two more were injured and required care. Due to the number of killed animals, the services described the accident as the worst of its kind in the history of Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka. Derailment of the train after hitting an elephant flockSri Lanka Train
Sri Lanka. Accidents involving elephants
As BBC writes, similar accidents at Sri Lanka are not unusual. The indicator of the victims of meetings with elephants, both among people and animals, belongs here to the highest in the world. Last year, 170 people and almost 500 elephants were killed, of which 20 after hitting the trains. For example, in October last year in the accident in Minneriya, about 25 km from Habarana, two elephants were killed and one was wounded.
Asian elephantShutterstock
According to the British station, the population of wild elephants at Sri Lanka is estimated at about 7,000 individuals. These animals are legally protected. The elephant is threatened with a fine and prison.
See also: Elephants turn to each other by name
Source of the main photo: Sri Lanka Train