The priest of Koriapal village of Kamakshyanagar East forest range in Dhenkanal district was reportedly killed by an elephant attack during his morning bath.
The deceased has been identified as Bidyadhar Dehuri (62).
The incident occurred when Bidyadhar was on his way to a nearby stream for a morning bath. An elephant attacked him, mauling him with its trunk and injuring his right thigh with its teeth. Despite the immediate rescue efforts by forest department staff, Bidyadhar succumbed to his injuries at Kamakshyanagar Hospital, where he was declared dead by the attending doctor.
The local community is in shock, and authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the attack.
