Rayagada: A tusker was killed after being hit by a railway engine near Burundabadi in Bishamkatak block of Odisha's Rayagada district late Wednesday night.

The incident took place on the Bishamkatak-Therubali railway track. According to preliminary information, the elephant was struck by a banker light engine operating on the railway line.

The carcass was found around three metres away from the railway track. Following the incident, personnel from the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the Forest Department reached the spot.

Sources said a herd of four elephants had been moving around the Bhatpur-Burundabadi area of Bishamkatak block after entering the region from neighbouring Kalahandi district.