Mother, daughter killed in elephant attack in Cox’s Bazar

A mother and her three-year-old daughter were killed in a wild elephant attack in Ramu upazila of Cox’s Bazar.

The incident took place around 5:00am in the West Khuniapalong area of Sayed Colony under Khuniapalong union on early Thursday (April 30), triggering panic among local residents.

The deceased were identified as Asma Begum, 25, and her daughter Shemon Ara. They were the wife and child of Md. Ekran Mia.

Local residents said a herd of wild elephants entered the settlement and damaged boundary walls and trees, creating panic in the area.

According to witnesses, the family rushed out after hearing loud noises when the elephants approached their home. The husband managed to escape with a young son, but the mother and daughter were caught in the attack and died on the spot.

Union Parishad member Jinal Abedin Bablu said the elephants were highly aggressive and residents had no time to react. He added that the herd later moved back into nearby hills after damaging several houses and consuming fruit trees.

Forest officials said the elephants were driven back into deeper forest areas following the incident.

Authorities confirmed the victims were Rohingya refugees living on forest land in the area.

Local residents blamed deforestation and habitat loss for increasing human-elephant conflict in the region, warning of more such incidents if preventive measures are not taken.

Police have completed inquest proceedings, and the bodies have been handed over to the family.

An unnatural death case will be filed, officials said.