View source for 2013 Chapramari Forest train accident

{{EngvarB|date=November 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox public transit accident
| name                = Chapramari Forest train accident
<!-- Image          -->
| image               = 
| image_size          = 
| image_alt           = 
| caption             = 
<!-- Maps           -->
| image_map           = 
| image_map_alt       = 
| image_map_caption   = 
| pushpin_map         = 
| alternative_map     = 
| pushpin_map_alt     = 
| pushpin_map_caption = 
| mapframe            = 
| qid                 = 
| mapframe_zoom       = 
| coordinates         = 
<!-- Details        -->
| date                = 13 November 2013
| time                = 17:40
| location            = [[Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary]], [[Jalpaiguri district]], West Bengal
| location_dir        = 
| location_city       = 
| location_dist_km    = 
| location_dist_mi    = 
| country             = {{flag|India}}
| line                = 
| operator            = 
| owner               = 
| service             = 
| type                = 
| cause               = speeding
<!-- Statistics     --> 
| bus                 = 
| trains              = ''[[Kavi Guru Express]]''
| vehicles            = 
| passengers          = 
| crew                = 
| pedestrians         = 
| deaths              = 5 adult 
| injuries            = 10 elephants
| damage              = 
| property            = 
<!-- Route map      -->
| route_map           = 
| route_map_state     = 
| route_map_name      = 
<!-- Footnotes      --> 
| footnotes           = 
}}
The '''2013 Chapramari Forest train accident''' occurred on 13 November 2013 in the eastern area of the [[Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary]], [[Jalpaiguri district]], West Bengal.<ref name='ET 2013-11-13'>{{cite news | first = Debasis | last = Sarkar | title = 'Railways Killer track' again kills 7 elephants in West Bengal | date = 13 November 2013 | url = http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-11-13/news/44030921_1_rail-track-elephants-new-jalpaiguri | work = The Economic Times | access-date = 14 November 2013}}</ref><ref name='Withnall 2013-11-14'>{{cite news | first = Adam | last = Withnall | title = Speeding train kills at least seven elephants and injures 10 others in India | date = 14 November 2013 | url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/speeding-train-kills-at-least-seven-elephants-and-injures-10-others-in-india-8939117.html | work = The Independent | access-date = 14 November 2013}}</ref>

The accident killed or injured 17 [[Indian elephant]]s and has been described as the worst of its kind in recent history.<ref name='Withnall 2013-11-14'/><ref name='Banerjee ABC 2013-11-14'>{{cite news | first = Manik | last = Banerjee | title = Train Mows Down, Kills 7 Elephants in East India | date = 14 November 2013 | work = [[ABC News]] | url = https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/train-mows-kills-elephants-east-india-20884192 | agency = Associated Press | access-date = 14 November 2013}}</ref><ref name='PTI 2013-11-16'>{{cite news | title = Elephant death toll rises to seven | date = 2013-11-16 | publisher = [[The New Indian Express]] | url = http://newindianexpress.com/nation/Elephant-death-toll-rises-to-seven/2013/11/16/article1894254.ece | work = Press Trust of India | access-date = 2013-11-20}}</ref>

==Background==
The [[Wildlife Protection Society of India]] reported that 20 elephants were killed in 2007.<ref name='2013-11-14 Abad-Santos'>{{cite news | first = Alexander | last = Abad-Santos | title = Elephants in India Keep Getting Killed by Trains | date = 2013-11-14 | url = http://www.theatlanticwire.com/global/2013/11/elephants-india-keep-getting-killed-trains/71600/ | work = The Atlantic Wire | access-date = 2013-11-15 | archive-date = 16 November 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131116100121/http://www.theatlanticwire.com/global/2013/11/elephants-india-keep-getting-killed-trains/71600/ | url-status = dead }}</ref> In 2013, the tally on the Chapramari track, specifically, reached 17 including those killed by 13 November accident.<ref name='Poareo'>{{cite news | first = Juana | last = Poareo | title = Elephants in India Struck and Killed in Train Collision | date = 2013-11-14 | url = http://guardianlv.com/2013/11/elephants-in-india-struck-and-killed-in-train-collision/ | work = Las Vegas Guardian Express | access-date = 2013-11-15}}</ref>

The number of wild elephants in all of India is thought to be about 26,000.<ref name='Kumar 2013-11-14'>{{cite news | first = Hari | last = Kumar |author2= Barry, Ellen | title = Train in India Hits Elephants Crossing Track | date = 2013-11-14 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/15/world/asia/passenger-train-in-northeast-india-hits-elephant-herd.html | work = The New York Times | access-date = 2013-11-15}}</ref>

==Accident==
At approximately 17:40 on 13 November, an [[Assam]]-bound [[passenger train]] travelling through the Chapramari Forest, [[Jaipur]]-[[Kamakhya]] ''[[Udaipur City–Kamakhya Kavi Guru Express]]'' (19709), approached the [[Jaldhaka River]] Bridge at ~80&nbsp;km/h and collided with a herd of 40–50 Indian elephants, killing five adults and two calves and injuring ten others.<ref name='ET 2013-11-13' /><ref name='IRI'>{{cite web | url = http://indiarailinfo.com/train/jaipur-kamakhya-kavi-guru-express-19709-jp-to-kyq/15564/272/547 | title = 19709/Jaipur-Kamakhya Kavi Guru Express | access-date = 14 November 2013 | work = India Rail Info}}</ref><ref name='Banerjee 2013-11-14'>{{cite news | first = Manik | last = Banerjee | title = India Train Crash Kills 7 Elephants | date = 14 November 2013 | work = [[HuffPost]]| url = http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/14/india-train-crash-elephants-killed_n_4272589.html | agency = Associated Press | access-date = 14 November 2013}}</ref>

Surviving elephants fled but soon [[elephant cognition|returned to the scene of the accident]] and remained there until being dispersed by officials.<ref name='Banerjee 2013-11-14'/>

==Aftermath==
Additional Divisional Railway Manager B. Lakra stated, "We have heard of the accident. All necessary actions are being taken. Special relief train has been sent and all Assam bound trains are being deviated through alternate route."<ref name='ET 2013-11-13' /> The track was reopened for service after 12 hours.<ref name='Kumar 2013-11-14'/> A meeting to discuss future prevention was held between forest and railway officials on 14 November.<ref name='FP 2013-11-14'/>

According to a telephone interview of Jalpaiguri divisional forest officer Bidyut Sarkar conducted by ''[[The New York Times]]'', "one female elephant, whose leg was fractured by the train and was unable to stand, fell into a ravine below the track, unreachable by cranes or trucks, so veterinarians descended and set up a camp near her to provide treatment".<ref name='Kumar 2013-11-14'/> The remains of one elephant were caught up in the structure of the bridge and necessitated disintegration for removal.<ref name='Kumar 2013-11-14'/><ref name='Sky 2013-11-14'>{{cite news | title = Elephants Killed As Train Slams into Herd | date = 14 November 2013 | url = http://news.sky.com/story/1168520/elephants-killed-as-train-slams-into-herd | publisher = Sky News | access-date = 14 November 2013}}</ref>

Some injured elephants remain in critical condition.<ref name='Banerjee ABC 2013-11-14'/>

===Jalpaiguri protest===
A protest seeking better regulation for trains passing through the wildlife sanctuary occurred on 14 November in [[Jalpaiguri]].<ref name='FP-protest 2013-11-14'>{{cite news | title = Jalpaiguri: Locals block track over jumbo deaths, carcasses being removed | date = 2013-11-14 | url = http://www.firstpost.com/india/jalpaiguri-locals-block-track-over-jumbo-deaths-carcasses-being-removed-1229249.html | work = First Post | access-date = 2013-11-15}}</ref><ref name='PTI-TOI 2013-11-14'>{{cite news | title = Locals block track over 6 elephant deaths in Bengal, carcasses being removed | date = 14 November 2013 | work = [[The Times of India]] | url = http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/Locals-block-track-over-6-elephant-deaths-in-Bengal-carcasses-being-removed/articleshow/25755704.cms | agency = Press Trust of India | access-date = 14 November 2013}}</ref> In an unrelated statement by [[West Bengal]]'s forest minister, [[Hiten Burman]], it was noted that official requests to a similar effect have been disregarded by railway authorities in the past.<ref name='Banerjee 2013-11-14'/>

===Repercussions===
The accident reignited discussion over the history and administration of the 168&nbsp;km track, which spans [[New Jalpaiguri]] to [[Alipurduar]] and also passes through [[Buxa Tiger Reserve]].<ref name='ET 2013-11-13' /> Animesh Basu, a coordinator for the [[Himalayan Nature and Adventure Foundation]], criticised the government's response to the issue of its [[List of national animals|national heritage animal]] being frequently hit by trains, highlighting the irony of [[Indian Railways]]' use of an elephant calf as its mascot.<ref name='Sky 2013-11-14'/>

[[Electric fence|Electric fencing]], stationary lighting, and [[motion sensor]]s have each been proposed as technical measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.<ref name='gulfnews 2013-11-14'/>

==Investigation==
Officials plan to launch an investigation into the causes of the accident.<ref name='2013-11-14 UPI'>{{cite news | title = 6 elephants killed by train in India's West Bengal state | date = 2013-11-14 | url = http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2013/11/14/6-elephants-killed-by-train-in-Indias-West-Bengal-state/UPI-25431384445835 | work = United Press International | access-date = 2013-11-15}}</ref> Speeding is suspected as a possible contributing factor.<ref name='FP 2013-11-14'>{{cite news | title = Overspeeding trains ran over elephants: Bengal minister | date = 2013-11-14 | publisher = [[First Post (India)|First Post]] | url = http://www.firstpost.com/india/overspeeding-trains-ran-over-elephants-bengal-minister-1230375.html | work = Press Trust of India | access-date = 2013-11-15}}</ref><ref name='2013-11-14 UPI'/> The train was traveling at 80&nbsp;km/h and guidelines specify a limit of 40&nbsp;km/h.<ref name='Ghosh 2013-11-14'>{{cite news | first = Shubham | last = Ghosh | title = Train rams into elephant herd in North Bengal, 7 jumbos killed | date = 2013-11-14 | url = http://news.oneindia.in/kolkata/train-rams-into-elephant-herd-in-north-bengal-7-jumbos-killed-1341192.html | work = One India | access-date = 2013-11-15}}</ref>

==Reaction==
[[Ministry of Railways (India)|Minister of State for Railways]] [[Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury]] stated that the accident "happened outside the area which has been earmarked as elephant corridor" and that it "is the responsibility of the state government to protect the wildlife [because] railway officials cannot".<ref name='gulfnews 2013-11-14'>{{cite news | first = Archisman | last = Dinda | title = Blame game over elephant death in West Bengal | date = 2013-11-14 | publisher = [[Al Nisr Publishing]] | url = http://gulfnews.com/news/world/india/blame-game-over-elephant-death-in-west-bengal-1.1255200 | work = Gulf News | access-date = 2013-11-15}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

{{2013 railway accidents}}

{{coord missing|West Bengal}}

{{#seo:
|keywords=2013 disasters in India, 2013 animal deaths, Railway accidents in 2013, Transport and the environment, Transport in Jalpaiguri district, Elephants in India, November 2013 events in India
|description=
}}

[[Category:2013 disasters in India]]
[[Category:2013 animal deaths]]
[[Category:Railway accidents in 2013]]
[[Category:Transport and the environment]]
[[Category:Railway accidents and incidents in West Bengal|Chapramari Forest train accident]]
[[Category:Transport in Jalpaiguri district]]
[[Category:Elephants in India]]
[[Category:November 2013 events in India]]