A train carrying thousands of liters of fuel collided with a herd of about 20 wild elephants in northeastern Sri Lanka. Two elephants were killed and another injured in the incident near the town of Minneriya, about 200 kilometers from Colombo, when two of the fuel trucks derailed, local authorities said.
According to the train driver N.W. Jayalath, the herd of elephants suddenly tried to cross the tracks on Friday. "There was nothing we could do," he told the AP news agency. Despite emergency braking, it was not possible to prevent the collision. Four elephants are said to have fallen.
The train consisted of eight tank wagons, five loaded with diesel and three with petrol, each tank wagon having a capacity of 50,000 liters. Two of the petrol wagons jumped off the tracks, causing severe damage to the line and forcing the train service to be suspended for the time being. Neither the train driver nor the three other crew members suffered any injuries.
Minneriya is known for its nature reserve, which attracts many tourists who want to see elephants in the wild. The national park is located in a so-called elephant corridor, which connects the Kaudulla and Wasgamuwa conservation areas and allows elephant sightings all year round.