Six Elephants Killed as Train Derails in Sri Lanka

In a tragic incident in Sri Lanka, an express train derailed after colliding with a herd of elephants near a wildlife reserve, resulting in the deaths of six elephants. The crash occurred early Thursday near Habarana, about 180 kilometers east of Colombo, with no injuries reported among the train's passengers. While two elephants survived and are receiving treatment, the incident highlights ongoing human-elephant conflicts in the region, which have seen over 170 people and nearly 500 elephants killed in similar encounters last year. Sri Lanka, home to approximately 7,000 wild elephants, considers these animals a national treasure and protects them by law, making the killing or harming of elephants a criminal offense. This incident is part of a troubling trend, as around 20 elephants are reportedly killed by trains annually, prompting calls for better safety measures. Previous accidents have also resulted in elephant fatalities, underscoring the urgent need for solutions to reduce these tragic occurrences.