An elephant that fell into a ditch after being hit by a train in the Shibbari area of South Surma, Sylhet, was rescued after nearly 17 hours with the joint efforts of the Forest Department, Fire Service, and local residents.
The incident occurred around 10:00 pm on Saturday (January 17) beside the Progoty Filling Station in the Shibbari area along the Sylhet–Fenchuganj road. After the rescue, the elephant was given initial medical treatment, according to the Sylhet Forest Department.
Sylhet Divisional Forest Officer Mohammad Abdur Rahman said the injured elephant was successfully rescued and moved to a safe, clean area where primary treatment is being provided. He added that initial assessments suggest the elephant was injured after being struck by a train.
Firefighter Belal Ahmed of the South Surma Fire Service Station said they rushed to the scene after receiving the report, accompanied by police and Forest Department officials, and used ropes and an excavator to pull the elephant out of the ditch.
Meanwhile, Sylhet Railway Station Master Nurul Islam stated that although reports had circulated since morning about an elephant being injured in a train collision, no such incident was officially recorded by the railway authorities.
The Assistant Commissioner (Land) of South Surma Upazila said the elephant had been rescued from the ditch and that a medical team had been formed to closely examine the case. Preliminary observations suggest possible fractures to the elephant’s hind or leg bones.
