Sri Lanka train derails after hitting elephants, killing six

Express train collision near Habarana leaves six elephants dead, no passenger injuries.

Police and railway personnel inspect a derailed train in Habarana, eastern Sri Lanka, on February 20, 2025, after it struck and killed six elephants. Photo by AFP/Getty Images

By Hayu Andini and Widya Putri

A passenger train in Sri Lanka derailed early Thursday after colliding with a herd of elephants near Habarana, killing six of the animals in what police described as the country’s worst train-related wildlife accident. No passengers were injured in the incident, but the crash highlighted the ongoing conflict between human development and elephant conservation.

The express train was traveling approximately 180 kilometers (110 miles) east of the capital, Colombo, near a well-known wildlife reserve when it struck the elephants before dawn. The impact caused the train to derail, but all passengers on board escaped unharmed.

"The train derailed, but there were no casualties among the passengers," a police spokesperson said, adding that wildlife officials were providing treatment for two elephants that survived the crash.

Tragic scene captured on video

Footage taken in the aftermath of the collision showed a heartbreaking scene—one elephant standing over a wounded calf lying beside the tracks, their trunks touching as if in distress. The video underscored the severity of the accident and the emotional bonds between these highly intelligent animals.

Sri Lanka is home to an estimated 7,000 wild elephants, which are revered as a national treasure and hold deep significance in Buddhist culture. Killing or harming elephants is a criminal offense in the country, but accidents like Thursday’s highlight the growing threats the animals face as their habitats shrink.

History of train collisions with elephants

This is not the first time elephants have been killed by trains in Sri Lanka. In September 2018, a similar incident in the same region claimed the lives of two baby elephants and their pregnant mother. In response, authorities imposed speed limits for trains passing through known elephant crossing areas.

Despite these measures, deadly encounters continue to occur, as elephants increasingly roam into human settlements and transportation corridors in search of food and water.

Rising human-elephant conflict in Sri Lanka

The elephant deaths come amid growing concerns over the increasing conflict between humans and wildlife. As Sri Lanka’s elephant population struggles to coexist with expanding human settlements, clashes have become more frequent and deadly.

Farmers in rural areas, whose small plots are often raided by elephants, have resorted to various means to protect their crops, sometimes leading to violent confrontations.

Deputy Minister of Environment Anton Jayakody told AFP that in 2023 alone, 150 people and 450 elephants were killed due to human-elephant conflicts. These numbers marked a rise from 2022, when 145 people and 433 elephants lost their lives in similar incidents.

"These two years alone account for over a tenth of the country’s elephant population," Jayakody noted, stressing the urgency of addressing the crisis.

Government plans to reduce elephant fatalities

With elephant deaths on the rise, Sri Lankan authorities are working to implement stronger protective measures. Jayakody outlined a new strategy aimed at reducing both human and elephant casualties.

"We are planning to introduce multiple barriers—these may include electric fences, trenches, or other deterrents—to make it more difficult for wild elephants to stray into villages," he said.

The Sri Lankan government has previously experimented with conservation measures, including designated wildlife corridors and early warning systems, but challenges remain as elephant habitats continue to be encroached upon by agriculture and infrastructure projects.

Balancing conservation and development

Sri Lanka’s elephant crisis reflects a broader issue seen across South Asia, where rapid urbanization and deforestation are forcing wildlife into closer contact with human populations. Conservationists argue that without urgent intervention, both humans and elephants will continue to suffer from escalating conflicts.

As Sri Lanka mourns the loss of six more elephants, environmental advocates are urging stronger efforts to protect the species. "We need better land management policies and stricter enforcement of wildlife protection laws," one conservationist stated.

For now, authorities are focusing on the immediate response to Thursday’s tragedy while working to prevent similar incidents in the future.