Bhubaneswar, Feb. 10 -- Three women were killed and three others were critically injured when a tusker attacked them while they were collecting firewood in Dhenkanal, Odisha around noon on Tuesday, forest officials said.

Indumati Pradhan, Tuni Pradhan and Kuntala Pradhan were trampled to death, while Rashmita Pradhan, Rama Dehuri and Jhilli Pradhan suffered critical injuries. They have been admitted to Dhenkanal District Headquarters Hospital, officials said. All women are from Lochapalli village.

"When they were collecting firewood in Patpuri Reserve Forest, a tusker suddenly emerged from the forest and attacked them, killing three on the spot and leaving three others critically injured," Dhenkanal divisional forest officer Sumit Kar s...