ODRAF personnel had conducted a search operation to rescue the trapped elephant.Later, the ODRAF boat, carrying rescue personnel, capsized in the water.
Seven persons including two journalists were in the boat. Arindam Das, senior reporter of Odisha Tv, died in the boat mishap. His colleague, Prabhat Sinha, a video journalist, was hospitalised and is in critical condition.
It is pertinent to mention that the trapped elephant, a sub-adult male, was a part of a 17-member herd which was trying to cross the Mahanadi river from Chandaka to Banki late Thursday night. Around 10 elephants were stuck due to the strong currents in the water.
