2 elderly women killed in wild elephant attacks on Rangamati-Kaptai road
Forest officials said elephant movement in the area has increased as shrinking habitat pushes herds closer to human settlements.
Two elderly women were killed and two others injured after wild elephants attacked vehicles on the Asambasti-Kaptai link road in Rangamati yesterday (16 November) evening.
The incidents occurred between 5 and 6pm in the Kamilachhari area, where two separate groups of elephants charged at vehicles on the road. Two CNG-run autorickshaws were crushed and a motorcycle was damaged, according to local officials.
The deceased were identified as Jhorna Chakma, 60, of Chairmanpara in Jibtali union, and Sabita Chakma, 62, of Golachhari in Mogban union. The injured were named as Onimesh Chakma and Trijoy Chakma. Further details about them were not immediately available.
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Officials from the Kaptai range of the South Forest Division said the first attack took place around 5:20pm when a herd of elephants struck a CNG autorickshaw in the Sadarbit area. The driver managed to escape and alerted the Forest Department.
Range Officer Omar Faruk Swadhin said a team rushed to the site and found another autorickshaw overturned in Kamilachhari around 6pm with two injured women lying nearby. One died on the way to Rangamati General Hospital. The second was referred to Chattogram for advanced care but died en route at Shantirhat in Rangunia.
He said two separate elephant herds were roaming the area, each with six to seven elephants including calves. By 7pm, movement on the road was halted and tourists and locals were evacuated with support from the army and fire service.
Forest officials said elephant movement in the area has increased as shrinking habitat pushes herds closer to human settlements.
