Ramgarh: Chilling Video Shows Elephant Trampling Man During Selfie Attempt, Attacks in Jharkhand Leave 5 Dead
Five people were killed by wild elephants in Jharkhand, including a 32-year-old man trampled while filming a viral video. Officials report the victim approached a herd of eight for a selfie before being attacked. A 42-elephant herd continues to roam the Ramgarh-Ranchi border, as forest teams track the animals to prevent more deaths.
Mumbai, December 18: Five people were killed, including two women, after separate wild elephant attacks across Jharkhand over the last 24 hours. Officials told news agency PTI Wednesday, December 17, that the fatalities occurred primarily in the Ramgarh and Ranchi districts, where a large herd of approximately 42 elephants has been roaming near residential areas and forest fringes. The incidents have sparked widespread panic and anger among local residents.
According to the Ramgarh Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Nitish Kumar, four of the deaths were recorded in the Ramgarh district, specifically within the Mandu Block and Sirka forest areas. The victims in these incidents included Amul Mahto (35), Parvati Devi (40), and Savitri Devi (45).
A fifth victim, Sanicharwa Munda (36), died while undergoing treatment after an attack in Jidu village, located in the Angara region of Ranchi. Police officials confirmed that two others, identified as Raveena Kumari and Kamal Nath Mahato, remain hospitalized with injuries sustained during the encounters. Jharkhand: Train Halts for 2 Hours As Wild Elephant Gives Birth on Railway Track, Heartwarming Video Goes Viral.
The Selfie Tragedy
One of the most notable fatalities involved Amit Kumar Rajwar (32), a security guard for Central Coalfields Limited (CCL). On Tuesday (December 16) afternoon, Rajwar reportedly approached a herd of eight elephants near the Ara Number Four Feeder Breaker in West Bokaro to record a video and take selfies.
Witnesses say the animals became aggressive as he drew closer, leading one elephant to attack and trample him. A video of the incident has since circulated on social media, prompting forest officials to issue stern warnings against approaching wild herds for photography.
Ramgarh Elephant Attack Video
Local Protests and Compensation
Following the deaths, hundreds of villagers staged a blockade on the Ramgarh–Kedla main road on Wednesday. Protesters accused the forest department of negligence, claiming there was a lack of timely patrolling and early warning systems despite the known presence of a 42-elephant herd in the region. Elephant Attack in Jharkhand: Rampaging Elephants Kill 7 in Gumla and Simdega, Forest Department Urges People To Stay Alert.
"Two quick response teams (QRTs) and forest guards are currently tracking the movement of these herds to prevent further casualties," DFO Nitish Kumar said. He noted that the harvest season, combined with mining activities and road construction, has disrupted traditional elephant corridors, drawing the animals closer to human settlements in search of food.
The state government has provided an immediate relief of INR 25,000 to the families of the deceased. Under Jharkhand state rules, the families are entitled to a total compensation of INR 4 lakh per fatality following the completion of official procedures.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 18, 2025 01:03 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).