Woman fatally trampled by wild elephant as heavy fog obscures visibility in India
The incident has sparked calls for stronger safety measures and government support for the family
A 36-year-old woman was killed after being trampled by a wild elephant while walking her two children to a school bus stop in southern India, according to local authorities.
The incident took place on Monday, June 8, in Chinnakkanal village in Kerala, where Mari was reportedly traveling with her 11-year-old son and daughter when she encountered an elephant and its calf during heavy rain and fog.
According to local reports citing the Kerala Forest Department (KFD), the poor visibility meant Mari did not initially see the animals before the attack occurred.
A bystander who heard the family’s cries rushed to help and transported Mari to a nearby hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
Her son suffered serious injuries and was transferred to Kottayam Government Medical College Hospital for further treatment, while her daughter escaped unharmed.
Authorities said the area had been experiencing frequent elephant movement, with officials issuing alerts earlier that morning through messaging platforms warning residents of wildlife presence.
The tragedy has triggered anger and grief in the local community, with Mari’s family demanding government support for her surviving children and stronger safety measures to prevent similar incidents.
“My sister was attacked this morning. She has no husband and was raising two children alone.
Who will take care of those children now?” her brother told local media, adding that the family would not release her body until their demands are addressed.
Forest Minister Shibu Baby John said the government would review the situation and ensure support for the family.
“We need to ensure that the family receives proper care. Based on the department's proposal, the government will take further steps,” he said.
Officials also confirmed that around 17 elephants are currently roaming in separate herds in the region.
A rapid response team has been deployed to drive wildlife away from residential areas and strengthen monitoring.
Devikulam Range Officer Arun Kumar said the team will remain on standby daily to manage elephant movement, adding that new proposals have been submitted to improve alerts and protect residents in vulnerable zones.
The incident has once again highlighted growing human-wildlife conflict in parts of Kerala, where expanding settlements continue to overlap with natural elephant habitats.
