A wild elephant killed a woman in Sanabanki village under Turekela police limits, sparking fear and anger among residents.

The victim, identified as Mandar Putel, was sleeping inside her house with her husband, father-in-law, and three children when the elephant broke into the house. The animal trampled her while others narrowly escaped.

For the past week, a herd of nearly 30 elephants from Nuapada district has created panic in Turekela block. The herd stays in the forest during the day and enters villages at night, damaging houses and crops.

On Wednesday night, the elephants entered Sanabanki village after residents had finished dinner. They broke into Putel’s house and attacked while the family slept. Terrified relatives ran to nearby homes to save themselves.

Forest officials later

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