In a tragic event, a group of five elephants killed three elderly family members and injured a woman in Bokaro, Jharkhand, on Thursday. The attack happened at Barkipunnu village around 3 am, as the elephants sought paddy by damaging a residence, according to the forest department.
Bokaro Divisional Forest Officer Sandeep Sinde reported that the family attempted to escape the elephants’ wrath but were fatally trampled outside their home. The wounded woman is currently receiving medical care in Gomia. This herd had been spotted in the area over several days before the incident.
The authorities have begun processing compensation claims for the bereaved family. Alarming statistics reveal that elephant-related fatalities have amounted to 25 in the state this January alone, signaling an urgent need to address escalating human-elephant conflicts.
(With inputs from agencies.)