In the deadliest wildlife catastrophe to hit the island, a Sri Lankan passenger train derailed Thursday after colliding with a family of elephants, killing six of the animals but leaving no passengers hurt, according to authorities.
Before daybreak, the express train struck the herd crossing the line at Habarana, which is about 180 kilometers east of the capital Colombo, close to a wildlife reserve.
“The train derailed, but there were no casualties among the passengers,” police stated, adding that two elephants that survived the collision were being treated by wildlife authorities.
Videos taken following the incident showed one elephant guarding a wounded child who was resting next to the tracks, their trunk tips curled together.
In Sri Lanka, it is illegal to kill or injure elephants.
