Batticaloa-Colombo train services disrupted after fuel train hits herd of elephants

18 October 2024 08:30 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 11 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

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Colombo, October 18 (Daily Mirror) - Train services on the Batticaloa-Colombo main line have been disrupted between Hingurakgoda and Gal Oya railway stations after a fuel train collided with a herd of elephants, the Railways Department said.

They said two elephants died in the accident, and a few others in the herd were reported to be injured.

The incident occurred at 3:30 a.m. today near the Minneriya railway station, while the train was transporting fuel from the Kolonnawa Petroleum Storage Terminal to Batticaloa.

The department reported that the railway line was severely damaged, with four fuel carriages derailed, two of which overturned. The train engine and another compartment also derailed.

As a result of the accident, the train scheduled to run from Colombo Fort to Batticaloa this morning has been canceled.

The department added that direct trains between Colombo Fort and Batticaloa may not operate for several days.

Comments - 11

Hemanth Friday, 18 October 2024 09:08 AM

Very sad. Poor elephants. What a tragic ending.

1 18

Ram P Friday, 18 October 2024 09:46 AM

Very sad, when passing this stretch of the rail line all the trains must keep to a very low speed say about 20kmph. Further at least two more apprentices must be in the engine carriage watching the front view. Once the stretch is passed the two apprentices can be dropped at the next station for them to take the return train

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Eleman wilde Friday, 18 October 2024 01:32 PM

The Train appears to have been travelling at very high speed judging from the damadge to the elephants as well as the track

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Rip Winkle Friday, 18 October 2024 03:45 PM

Innocent wild elephants are always at the receiving end in Sri Lanka.

0 3

Man Friday, 18 October 2024 04:59 PM

No attention paid to the injured elephant. No significant ascends or descends of the track to have a speed to obtain the force to drag wagons, too.

0 7

ACL Friday, 18 October 2024 06:09 PM

Poor elephants... they don't stand a chance in such a cruel world as ours... How careless can these train drivers be. There are no laws for driving speeds - I see so many cars and buses or bikes going at break neck speed. Large jeeps - what stupidity. Where are the law enforcement officers in all of this. The train driver must be punished for such negligence

0 9

Tissa Fernando Friday, 18 October 2024 06:28 PM

AKD sweet talks just days before about train safety but as we know he only talks and no action. I think he should organise some protests and strikes for which he and his party are experts.

1 6

“ The Lansi Burgher Gent “ Friday, 18 October 2024 06:31 PM

Such sadistic imbeciles, running the trains. The value for animal life, be it our poor innocent dogs/puppies, our precious elephants or the leopards in the tea estates, is almost nonexistent in this cursed land. Just like the scum who drive around on the roads, there is no patience, no etiquette and a complete lack of respect for all and sundry, to see. The new government, president and others should immediately intervene to prevent the cruelty to animals, and bring in laws to curb the same, as soon as possible. These train driving jokers, should be sacked and replaced with qualified and experienced gents, who follow standards and procedures at all times. If we lack local talent, bring in foreigners so that our chaps will buckle up or be given a kick up their scrawny backsides.

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Ravana Friday, 18 October 2024 06:33 PM

How many deaths would it take till they know, that they have blood on their hands? The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind The answer is blowin' in the wind Words cannot begin to convey how brutal and inhumane, it is that this keeps happening....these are preventable tragedies. It is deeply saddening that elephants are dying in such unnecessary ways, through no fault of their own... If the railways department would take a proactive approach taking on board expert advice; and made those changes, we could have prevented these deaths. There are also the substantial public property and infrastructure damage costs, associated with these incidents!! Instead, we face a series of excuses and inaction or delayed responses from railway authorities. This reflects a pattern of neglect, arrogance, and insensitivity to a recurring problem that has persisted since trains began operating at high speeds through wilderness areas inhabited by elephants.

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SLM Siyabudeen Friday, 18 October 2024 08:09 PM

Night trains, specially goods train shall be stopped along this line. The goods train shall be scheduled during daytime as the frequency of the trains along this line is vey low.

0 9

Dr Das Friday, 18 October 2024 10:24 PM

Why not trains avoid this stretch night time , they can start from Colombo late night

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