NEW DELHI, Oct. 2 (UPI) -- India's environment minister was investigating how a freight train in West Bengal struck and killed seven elephants late last month, Indian media said Saturday.
The accident happened Sept. 22 along a 100-mile stretch where there's currently a 30 mph speed limit for trains, the Indo-Asian News Service reported.
Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh visited the region Friday and told reporters afterwards he would meet soon with Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee, the report said.
Ramesh said among his recommendations was that train speeds be reduced to 15-20 mph in the region where elephants are known to cross tracks at 44 identified locations. He also said 10 watchtowers would be built to alert engineers in advance, and he was also recommending reducing the frequency of train traffic between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Reports said two baby elephants became stuck in the tracks and five others were trying to rescue them when the train hit them. Five died at the scene and two others died the next day, the news agency said.
