Three women killed in tusker attack in Odisha forest

A tusker killed three women and injured three others in Odisha while they gathered firewood; compensation will be provided to the victims' families.

Updated on: Feb 10, 2026, 20:20:36 IST

By Debabrata Mohanty, Bhubaneswar

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Three women were killed and three others were critically injured when a tusker attacked them while they were collecting firewood in Dhenkanal, Odisha around noon on Tuesday, forest officials said.

Odisha has around 912 elephants, fewer than several states. But it has recorded more deaths attributed to the human-elephant conflict as compared to other states. (ANI)

Indumati Pradhan, Tuni Pradhan and Kuntala Pradhan were trampled to death, while Rashmita Pradhan, Rama Dehuri and Jhilli Pradhan suffered critical injuries. They have been admitted to Dhenkanal District Headquarters Hospital, officials said. All women are from Lochapalli village.

“When they were collecting firewood in Patpuri Reserve Forest, a tusker suddenly emerged from the forest and attacked them, killing three on the spot and leaving three others critically injured,” Dhenkanal divisional forest officer Sumit Kar said.

Kar said ex-gratia compensation would be provided to the next of kin of the deceased after an inquiry. Police said a case of unnatural death will be registered in connection with the incident.

Odisha has around 912 elephants, fewer than several states. But it has recorded more deaths attributed to the human-elephant conflict as compared to other states. In 2024-25, Odisha recorded 153 human deaths and 94 elephant deaths, among the highest in India. Driven by habitat loss, around 70% of incidents occur during post-monsoon and winter, particularly near forest ranges.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Debabrata Mohanty
Debabrata Mohanty is a senior assistant editor of Hindustan Times who works as state correspondent from Odisha covering the state's politics, governance, public policy, natural disasters, environment and its society for close to three decades. With his long years of reporting from the state capital of Bhubaneswar, Mohanty has been known as one of the most experienced and credible journalists covering Odisha for the national English dailies. His reporting combines on-ground detail with deep institutional knowledge detailing the state's changing politics, governance issues, administrative reforms and the functioning of its public institutions. He has regularly reported on issues ranging from legislative developments and public policy implementation. Politics is his core areas of expertise as he closely tracks Odisha's political landscape, including the rise and transformation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), the two principal political parties in Odisha. His long association with the state's political establishment enables him to write on contemporary developments in a larger political context. Mohanty takes a deep interest in writing human interest stories, environmental issues and documenting the impact of cyclones, floods, heatwaves, and other climate-related events in one of the most disaster-prone states. His coverage extends to public health, governance reforms and stories on accountability of government institutions. Before joining Hindustan Times, Mohanty worked with The Indian Express, Mail Today, and The Telegraph, where he covered at least six general elections and as many assembly elections. In 2007, he was selected for the prestigious Chevening Young Indian Print Journalist Programme at the University of Lincoln, United Kingdom, where he received advanced training in print journalism. In 2009 he won the Press Institute of India-International Committee of Red Cross award on conflict reporting for his on-ground reportage of 2008 Kandhamal riots.Read More

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