Tragic Elephant Encounter Claims Elderly Man's Life
In a heartbreaking incident highlighting India's escalating man-animal conflict, a 70-year-old man was trampled to death by a breakaway elephant in Vishnupur village of Chhattisgarh's Koriya district. The tragic event occurred during the early hours of Friday, between 2 am and 3 am, when a herd of elephants panicked after a train passed through their path.
How the Fatal Incident Unfolded
The victim, identified as Phulsai Pandu, lived alone in a hut near the railway tracks under the Koriya forest division. According to forest officials, a herd of 11 elephants moving through the area suddenly scattered into two groups when a train passed along the railway line nearby.
DFO Chandrashekhar Pardeshi explained that "the elephants panicked when the train passed close by and scattered in different directions, which likely led to the fatal encounter." Hearing the sound of the approaching herd, the elderly man stepped out of his hut in fear and unfortunately came face-to-face with one of the separated elephant groups while attempting to flee.
Growing Pattern of Human-Elephant Conflicts in Chhattisgarh
This incident represents just one in a series of fatal encounters between humans and elephants in the region over the past year:
- August 10, 2024 (Jashpur district): A lone male elephant killed four people including two brothers, one young daughter, and a neighbor
- March 19, 2024 (Jashpur district): Khileshwar Nagvanshi trampled to death after flashing a torchlight at a bathing tusker
- January 6, 2024 (Surguja district): Shivcharan, a 40-year-old tribal man from Pahadi Korwa community, killed by wild elephant
- Recent months (Ambikapur): 19-year-old Rajkumar Naik died while attempting to record video of elephant herd
- July 2025 (Raigarh district): Three persons including a five-year-old boy trampled to death during night rampage
The recurring pattern of these incidents underscores the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address the growing conflict between human settlements and wildlife habitats across Chhattisgarh.
