Elephant trampling claims three lives in Bargarh

Bhubaneswar, June 18: Three members of a family, including two children, tragically lost their lives when they were trampled by a herd of elephants in Saladiha village, Paikamal Range, Bargarh district, on Monday night.

The deceased have been identified as Pana Bariha, her daughter Sunanda (10), and son Aditya (3). Pana’s husband Bipin, son Mantu (7), and father-in-law Jatia were also seriously injured in the elephant attack and are currently hospitalized in critical condition.

According to reports, the family members were sleeping in the backyard of their house due to the intense heatwave when the elephants entered the village in search of food. The elephants encountered Pana’s house and inadvertently trampled her and two of her children to death.

The incident has sparked tension in the locality, with police attempting to calm the villagers who were understandably distraught. Local residents have accused the Forest department of not informing them about the presence of elephants in the area, which they believe led to this tragic event.