Jharsuguda: As many as four elephants died after reportedly being hit by a goods train near Bagdihi Railway Station in Odisha's Jharsuguda district early this morning.

According to reports, a herd of elephants was hit by a freight train while the pachyderms were crossing railway tracks around 4 am, resulting in death of four elephants including one tusker.

"A herd comprising three elephants and a calf were crossing the tracks when they were hit. All of them were killed instantly," said Batakrushna Sethi, Ranger of the Bagdihi forest range.

Sethi said the railway department had been asked to reduce the speed of trains while crossing the forest range.

On being informed, forest officials rushed to the spot and removed the carcasses from the track using JCBs.

Train movements were affected as the carcasses were lying on the track for around four hours. Trains including Bokaro-Alleppey Express and Tapaswini Express were halted at Jharsuguda Station.