Baliguda, Dec 19: In a tragic and unusual incident, a woman lost her life after being struck by falling papayas in Kandhamal district of Odisha. The incident occurred in Gochhapada village under the Baliguda police station limits.

According to sources, the deceased, identified as Chandrakala, had gone to her backyard on Thursday morning to pluck papayas for cooking. While attempting to cut the fruit from the tree using a hooked tool, three papayas suddenly fell from a height. One papaya struck her head, while the other two hit her chest and body. Each papaya reportedly weighed around 4 to 5 kilograms.

The severe impact caused Chandrakala to collapse on the spot. Family members rushed her in critical condition to the Baliguda sub-divisional hospital, where doctors declared her dead on arrival.

Baliguda police station officer Sambit Swain said the body was sent for post-mortem examination, and a case has been registered in connection with the incident. Further investigation is underway.

Chandrakala and her husband Praveen worked as daily wage labourers and struggled to support their family on limited earnings. The couple has three children. Chandrakala’s sudden and untimely death has left the family devastated, with the children rendered motherless.

The incident has sparked shock and discussion in the Baliguda area. Villagers have urged the administration to provide financial assistance to the bereaved family.