Norway's trains kill more than 100 reindeer in three days

65 animals mown down in worst accident

A train passes by dead reindeer near Mosjoen, Norway (John Erling Utsi, NTB scanpix via AP)

Freight trains have killed more than 100 Norwegian reindeer in just three days.

Torstein Appfjell, a reindeer herder in Helgeland county, said it was "totally tragic" and "unprecedented" for so many reindeer to die in such a way.

He told the Associated Press a total of 106 reindeer have been killed since last Thursday.

The worst accident happened on Saturday, when 65 animals were mown down.

Mr Appfjell represents four families in the area with a total of around 2,000 reindeer.

He said at least 250 animals have been killed in train accidents over the last 12 months.

Local media reports say Bane NOR, which operates the trains, has since reduced speeds in the area.