Seven people killed in multiple elephant attacks across Odisha, Jharkhand, Assam, and Karnataka on March 14

A spate of fatal elephant encounters has shaken several states in India over the past 48 hours, with at least seven people killed and others injured in separate attacks, prompting heightened concern among forest‑edge residents and officials.

In Kandhamal district of Odisha , three men were trampled to death by separate herds of wild elephants after entering jungles to collect firewood. Bama Pradhan (63) and Kirtan Bugarty (65) were killed Friday evening in the Damba forest, Petapanfa gram panchayat, while Duri Pradhan (32) lost his life early Saturday in the Paburia forest area. Villagers alleged they were not informed of elephant movements through their local forests, fuelling fear and caution. The forest department has deployed drones to track elephant movement and avert further incidents.

In Jharkhand’s Latehar district , a 45‑year‑old woman, identified as Dulari Devi, was trampled to death by two elephants while harvesting lentils near the Hemna forest early this morning. State authorities announced an immediate ex gratia payment of ₹40,000 to her family, with additional compensation of ₹3.60 lakh to be disbursed once formalities are completed. Forest officials emphasised warnings for villagers to avoid entering forest areas alone, especially during early morning and late evening hours.

In another tragedy in West Singhbhum district, Jharkhand , a pregnant woman was killed by a wild elephant in the Goilkera area, officials confirmed. Regional authorities have said they are deploying teams to affected zones and stepping up awareness campaigns to reduce risks of further encounters.

In Assam’s Dibrugarh , a domesticated elephant attacked a firefighter who was feeding it biscuits, crushing his ribs and leaving him seriously injured and hospitalized. The incident underscored concerns over unpredictable behaviour even among trained animals.

In Karnataka’s Kodagu district , local lawmakers and residents are urging stronger measures after multiple recent elephant attacks have claimed lives there in the past ten days. An MLA cited growing public anger and disruptions to farming activities, with villagers abandoning paddy cultivation due to persistent threats from wild animals, including elephants. Authorities have earmarked substantial state budget funds to address escalating human‑wildlife conflict and called for immediate intervention.

The wave of incidents has heightened anxiety in forest‑fringe communities from Odisha to Karnataka, with residents increasingly reluctant to venture into fields or forests for daily chores. Officials reiterated the necessity of early warning systems, community awareness programmes, and coordinated monitoring to prevent future confrontations.