The shocking death and surprise attack at the funeral drew attention in India. A 70-year-old woman was trampled by an elephant while she was carrying water from a well. The animal even returned to attack the victim during a family-organized farewell ceremony. The incident took place in Rasgovindpur, Odisha.

The elephant attacked, killed an elderly woman and still went to the funeral to trample on the body – Photo: Dailymail / Reproduction / ND

According to The New York Post and Daily Mail, the animal must have escaped from the animal shelter when it came across a woman fetching water from a well in the village of Raipal in Mayorbang province. Maya Murma was rescued and taken to the hospital, but she could not stand the injuries.

An already shocking incident just got worse. After the release of the body, the family was holding a farewell ceremony with the preparation of a funeral pyre, when the animal reappeared, trampled Maya’s body and threw it into the air, according to police reports. According to the Independent, family members continued with the funeral after the elephant left.

It is not known if the animal has injured other people. Last year, 42 elephants died in the region.