An 80-year-old woman was allegedly trampled to death by a wild elephant while she was about to begin work under the VB-G RAM G scheme in Kollam district of Keralam on Monday, police said.

The deceased was identified as Rajamma, a resident of Kadasheri.

The incident took place around 9 a.m. at Pathanapuram, an area close to the forest.

Rajamma and other workers had gathered at the site and were taking photographs before starting work. The photographs are required to be submitted to the panchayat as part of the work-related procedure. According to residents, the elephant approached the group from behind. While the other workers ran to safety, Rajamma could not escape and was attacked by the animal.

The workers raised an alarm after seeing the elephant attack her, but the animal remained in the area.

Forest Department officials later reached the spot and drove the elephant back into the forest.

Rajamma’s body was shifted to the mortuary of the Punalur Taluk Hospital.

Residents said wild elephant attacks had become frequent in the area and expressed concern over the safety of people living and working close to the forest.