Guwahati/IBNS, Dec. 20 -- Eight elephants were killed and one calf was injured after a herd was hit by an express train in Assam's Hojai district in the early hours of Saturday, media reports said.

The locomotive and five coaches were affected in the accident.

No passenger casualties or injuries were reported.

The injured calf has been rescued, officials said.

Despite the loco pilot applying an emergency brake after spotting the herd, elephants still hit the train leading to the derailment of the coaches.

The accident disrupted train services in the area, prompting the deployment of accident relief trains.

Additional coaches will be attached to the train at Guwahati to accommodate the relocated passengers.

The train, which connects...