Four trampled to death by a wild elephant near Coimbatore

A minor girl was among those killed by a wild elephant that strayed into human habitation on the outskirts of Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu

Coimbatore: Four persons, including a minor girl, were trampled to death and two others injured by an elephant at Vellalore area in the outskirts of the city on Friday, police said.

A herd of wild elephant crossing a road at Sonahatu in Ranchi . According to the environment ministry data, 391 people and 39 elephants died in 2014-15 across India, as a result of the man-elephant conflict. (Sanjoy Dey/ HT file photo)

The 12-year-old girl was sleeping in the veranda of her house when the elephant, which strayed into human habitation some days ago from nearby Madukkarai forests, trampled her to death at around 3.30 AM. Forest department officials have urged people not to venture out of their homes.

The elephant then moved away from the area and attacked and grievously injured three more persons, including two women. They were rushed to the government hospital, but did not respond to treatment and passed away, police said. The injured persons have been hospitalised.

Forest department officials said they are making efforts to drive away the elephant into the forest by bringing in ‘kumkis’ (tamed elephants) and also trying to tranquilise it.

According to the environment ministry data, 391 people and 39 elephants died in 2014-15 across India, as a result of the man-elephant conflict. Of the 391 people, West Bengal recorded the highest number of death at 89, followed by Assam, which recorded 54 deaths.