Train kills two wild elephants in Sri Lanka as fuel trucks derail

A train carrying thousands of gallons of fuel hit a herd of wild elephants in northeastern Sri Lanka, killing two people and injuring another as two of its tankers derailed, authorities said.

The collision occurred in Minneriya, a town known for its nature park and wildlife, located about 200 km from the capital Colombo.

The train driver told The Associated Press that a herd of nearly 20 elephants suddenly tried to cross the tracks Friday.

“There was about 10 meters between us. So we couldn’t do anything. We hit the brakes as hard as we could, but there wasn’t much we could do. At least four elephants were knocked down. » said NW Jayalath.

The train was carrying eight tankers – five carrying diesel and three others carrying petrol, each with a capacity of 50,000 litres, he said.

Two of the tankers derailed, causing a major leak and seriously damaging the railway tracks, forcing authorities to suspend services on the line, he added.

The train compartment carrying the driver also derailed. The train was carrying two other staff members, but none of the four were injured.

“This is the first time I have seen this kind of incident,” said VJ Jackson, a resident of Minneriya. “We arrived here after hearing the train horn and the cries of the elephants. We saw elephants everywhere and the train had derailed.

Hasini Sarathchandra, publicity officer of the wildlife department, said the two elephants died on the spot while the injured one was treated and released back into his herd.

Minneriya National Park attracts thousands of tourists every year hoping to see elephants in their wild habitats. It is part of the “Elephant Corridor that connects Kaudulla and Wasgamuwa National Parks” which allows elephant sightings all year round.

Although elephants are revered in this Indian Ocean island nation, they are endangered, with their numbers falling from about 14,000 in the 19th century to 6,000 in 2011, according to the country’s first elephant census.

Collisions between elephants and trains have increased in recent years in Sri Lanka, with wild elephants attempting to cross railway tracks in search of food and water.

They are increasingly vulnerable due to the loss and degradation of their natural habitat and many are venturing closer to human settlements in search of food. Some are killed by poachers or farmers unhappy with the damage caused to their crops.

Seven elephants have died this year after being hit by trains, compared to 24 last year, according to government statistics.