Balasore, March 17: A two-year-old boy died after a herd of elephants demolished a house in Kendukhunta village under Raibania police limits of Balasore district late at night.

Sources said a herd of around 30 elephants has been residing in the nearby forest for a long time. While the elephants stay inside the forest during the day, they often stray into nearby villages at night, damaging houses and creating panic among locals.

On the intervening night, the herd attacked the house of Uddhab Marandi and brought it down. As the family members were asleep, a portion of the wall collapsed on them. The minor boy, identified as Ram, sustained critical injuries in the incident.

He was immediately rushed to Hatigarh hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

On being informed, forest department officials reached the spot and drove the elephants away.

The bereaved family, which belongs to a poor background, has sought government assistance.