Seven elephants killed as Rajdhani Express hits herd in Assam; 5 coaches derail
Seven elephants were killed and a calf injured after the Rajdhani Express hit a herd in Assam’s Hojai, derailing coaches and disrupting rail services.
A fire broke out Sunday morning in the B-1 AC coach, the rear second luggage-cum-guard van (SLR) coach of the Thiruvananthapuram-Hazrat Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express (train number 12431), in Madhya Pradesh’s Ratlam district. Railway officials reported no loss of life or injuries in the incident.
A swift, around 15-minute emergency evacuation protocol by onboard Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel and railway staff helped successfully deboard all 68 passengers from the B-1 coach of the train, the officials said.
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“Following the incident, a high-level inquiry has been ordered and an audit of various fire safety systems in train coaches and drive has been launched across the Indian Railways (IR),” a railway official informed.
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Meanwhile, rail traffic on the Mumbai-Delhi route was affected after the incident.
“At around 05:15 hrs, there was a fire in two rear coaches, which include one guard coach and one AC 3 Tier in Thiruvananthapuram-Hazrat Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express (train number 12431) near Nagda of Kota Division. The safety system in the coach provided immediately worked and the train was automatically stopped. Further train crews immediately separated the rear 2 coaches. There was no injury to any passengers,” the railway official added.
According to senior Divisional Commercial Manager Saurabh Jain, the incident was reported at around 5:15 am on Train No. 12431 under the Kota division.
“This morning, at 5.15 am, a fire incident was reported in Train Number 12431, the Rajdhani Express travelling from Thiruvananthapuram to Nizamuddin, specifically in the rear SLR and B1 coach of the Kota division. Upon noticing the fire, railway staff promptly evacuated all passengers, separated the affected coach from the rest of the train, and informed the fire brigade, state administration, and railway authorities. Immediate action ensured the safety of all passengers,” Jain said.
The railway officials said the fire was brought largely under control shortly after emergency teams reached the spot.
“The fire has been almost completely controlled. Three fire brigade units, ambulances, and civil administration are on-site, working collaboratively. Railway officials have arrived, and additional coaches are being arranged from Kota. The remaining portion of the train is expected to depart within 30 to 45 minutes, after which track restoration will begin. This incident has caused some regulation of trains in both directions, affecting approximately 5 to 6 trains. Passengers are advised to contact the railway website or helpline at 139 for any information,” Jain added.
Railway authorities are investigating the cause of the fire.
Meanwhile, in a statement, West Central Railway Kota Division said on May 17, 2026 at 05:15 hrs, a fire was reported in B-1 coach (near SLR end) of Train Number 12431 Thiruvananthapuram–Hazrat Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express between Luni Richha (LNR) and Vikramgarh Alot (VMA) at Km 729/02 (Loco) & 728/14-16 (SLR) in the Down direction.
“All passengers of the affected coach were safely deboarded. No injury or casualty to any passenger or railway staff,” the statement said.
The overhead electric supply (OHE) was cut immediately. The affected B-1 coach was detached from the rake. Railway employees and officers rushed to the spot and engaged in fire-fighting operations.
”Refreshment was served to the passengers of the affected coach at the site. An additional coach will be attached at Kota station to facilitate further travel,” it said.
“Senior officers from Kota have departed for the site. The situation is fully under control. 12431 Rajdhani express started from the site with a Diesel Engine at 9:48 hrs for VMA. The cause of the fire is being investigated,” the statement added.
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