​​​​​​​Dhenkanal, Oct 18: In a tragic incident, an elderly woman was killed in an elephant attack in Kapilas forest range of Odisha’s Dhenkanal district last night.

As per reports, Subhadra Naik (65) of Mahulakholi village under Deogaon panchayat died in the attack, while her husband Benudhar Naik and two daughters narrowly escaped the attack.

Sources said that the incident took place around 8 PM when Subhadra, along with her husband and two daughters, was returning home from Dhenkanal town after completing some work. The family had disembarked from a vehicle at Deogaon Chhak and was walking back to their village when they unknowingly came face-to-face with an elephant hiding near the cashew forest close to the road.

The elephant, believed to be a rogue tusker, suddenly charged at the family. In the chaos, Benudhar and one of the daughters managed to flee, while the other daughter took shelter inside a nearby bush. However, Subhadra could not escape in time and was caught by the elephant.

The tusker reportedly lifted her with its trunk and dashed her onto the ground. Upon hearing the commotion, villagers and forest department personnel rushed to the site and immediately shifted Subhadra to the Dhenkanal District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) in critical condition. Unfortunately, doctors declared her dead on arrival.

Forest department officials have launched an investigation and are taking measures to drive the elephant back into the forest. The department has also assured the family of necessary assistance and compensation as per government norms.