Seven elephants killed in India by speeding train
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.India's environment minister pressed railway authorities today to ensure the safety of elephants after seven pachyderms were mowed down by a speeding train in eastern India.
The herd was crossing the tracks in Banarhat forest in West Bengal state at midnight Wednesday when the freight train plowed into the animals, killing them all.
"This is not the first time that such a mishap has taken place, although the scale with which it has taken place now is unprecedented," Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said in a statement.
Ramesh said he had previously written letters to the railway minister and met with rail officials to discuss "measures to be taken in order to avoid such tragedies."
Outraged wildlife activists in India said they too complained to railroad authorities many times, asking them to divert trains to other routes or avoid running locomotives through the forests at night.
"The drivers hardly ever adhere to the restrictions," said Animesh Basu, who runs the Himalayan Nature and Adventure Foundation, a wildlife conservation group.
Scores of wild bison, deer, boars and leopards have died in the same forest after being hit by trains, Basu said.
Dozens of elephants have died in India in recent years after being struck while crossing railway tracks that often run through national parks and forests.
India's wild elephant population was recently estimated at about 26,000.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments