Train derails after hitting elephant in Bengal, many trains stranded

A Siliguri-bound local train was derailed after it fatally hit an elephant between Gulma and Sevoke stations near the northern West Bengal town of Siliguri on Monday evening, an official said.

Darjeeling's divisional forest Officer (Wildlife) Basab Raj confirmed that the semi-adult elephant died on the spot. No human injuries have been reported.

Northeast Frontier Railway area manager Parthay Sarothy Seal said the engine with two compartments derailed following the impact.

After the incident, the train came to a stop, disrupting train services on the Dooars-Guwahati route. A number of express and local trains were now stranded at various stations.

Railway police and officials have rushed to the scene of the incident.