Dhenkanal: In a tragic incident, three women were trampled to death and three others injured when a wild elephant attacked them while they were collecting firewood in Lochapali village of Patpuri Forest under the Sadar range in Dhenkanal on Tuesday.
The deceased have been identified as Indu Pradhan, Tuni Behera, and Kuntala Pradhan, while the injured—Rama Dehuri, Rasmita Pradhan, and Jhili Pradhan—are receiving treatment at the district headquarters hospital in serious condition.
According to reports, all six women entered the forest around 10 a.m. to collect firewood when they unexpectedly encountered the elephant. The animal attacked them, killing three women on the spot. The injured were rescued by the forest department team and immediately admitted to the hospital.
Forest officials reached the area shortly after being informed and have launched an investigation into the incident.
“Our team was patrolling the area, but this is an unfortunate incident. The women came across the elephant while collecting wood. Our patrolling team rescued the survivors immediately, but sadly, three women lost their lives,” said Dhenkanal Range Officer Uchhaba Chandra Pradhan.
