NEW DELHI, Nov. 16 (UPI) -- A passenger train mowed down at least six elephants before being derailed in northeast India.
The speeding intercity passenger train hit a small herd of elephants squatting on the tracks near Bogapani village in Assam state.
"The driver could not stop the running train before it hit the herd," a railway spokesman said. "At least two adult elephants and four calves were killed before the engine derailed."
Passengers fled the site soon after the accident as a 35-strong herd descended on the site.
"At this moment, the elephants are sitting on the track, apparently mourning the death of the six pachyderms," the official said. "Our staff are unable to go near the train for fear of being attacked."
There were no human injuries or casualties, however.
Last year, five elephants were killed when a train ran over a herd.
Assam is home to more than half of India's 10,000 elephants.
