A Rohingya woman and her daughter were killed in an attack by a herd of wild elephant in Ramu upazila of Cox’s Bazar early Thursday.
The deceased were identified as Asma Bibi, 27, wife of Md Ekram Mia and their 3-year-old daughter Chemon Ara Begum , residents of Syed Colony in West Khuniapalong under Khuniapalong union.
Locals said the elephants entered the locality around 6am, triggering panic among residents.
Madrasa teacher Jubairul Islam said hearing noise, Ekram fled with their six-year-old son Rehan Uddin but Asma Bibi and her younger daughter failed to escape and died on the spot.
Khuniapalong Union Parishad member Zainal Abedin said the herd consisting of three elephants was highly aggressive, leaving the victims no chance to escape.
The elephants later moved toward nearby hills after damaging houses and feeding on fruits.
Md Tosaddek Hossain, range officer of the Cox’s Bazar South Forest Division (Dhoapalong Range), said forest officials drove the elephants back into deep forest and are taking steps to control their movement.
Ramu Police Station Officer-in-Charge Monirul Islam Bhuiyan said police visited the scene, completed inquest procedures and handed over the bodies to the family.
A case of unnatural death will be filed in this connection, he said .