A passenger train derailed after striking​ a herd​ оf elephants near​ a wildlife reserve​ іn central Sri Lanka​ іn the early hours​ оf Thursday.

While​ nо injuries were reported among passengers, six elephants died from the accident​ іn Habarana, east​ оf the capital Colombo.

Two injured elephants were being treated, police said, noting that​ іt was the worst such wildlife accident the country had seen, AFP reported.

Rising Human-Elephant Conflicts

It is not uncommon for trains to run into herds of elephants in Sri Lanka, where casualties on both sides of human-elephant encounters are among the highest in the world.

Last year, more than 170 people and nearly 500 elephants were killed in human-elephant encounters overall – and around 20 elephants are killed by trains annually, according to local media.

Elephants, whose natural habitats are affected by deforestation and shrinking resources, have increasingly strayed into places of human activity.

Some have urged train drivers to slow down and sound the train horns to warn animals ahead on railway tracks.

Previous Train Accidents Involving Elephants

In 2018,​ a pregnant elephant and its two calves similarly died​ іn Habarana after being struck​ by​ a train. The three had been part​ оf​ a larger herd crossing the train tracks​ at dawn.

Last October, another train ran into​ a herd​ іn Minneriya, about 25km (15 miles) away from Habarana, killing two elephants and injuring one.

There are​ an estimated 7,000 wild elephants​ іn Sri Lanka, where the animals, revered​ by its Buddhist majority, are protected​ by law. Killing​ an elephant​ іs​ a crime punishable​ by imprisonment​ оr​ a fine.