Fuel train derails after colliding with elephant herd

A fuel train has derailed between Hingurakgoda and Gal Oya railway stations after colliding against a herd of wild elephants. 

The Railway Department sad that a total of four fuel tankers have derailed and that two of them have toppled and that the train engine and another compartment have also derailed. 

It is also reported that two elephants have died in the collision with the train while several other elephants have been critically injured.

Meanwhile, the derailment has also severely damaged the railway track, Ada Derana reporter said.

The incident had occurred at around 3.30 a.m. today (18) while the train was transporting fuel from the Kolonnawa Petroleum Storage Terminal to Batticaloa. 

Train services on the Batticaloa-Colombo main line have been completely halted presently while the railway department has cancelled the trains scheduled to travel from Colombo Fort to Batticaloa and vice versa this morning (18).