A 43-year-old man, identified as Chiunguza Henderson from Zalengela 1 Village under Traditional Authority Ganya in Ntcheu District, has been killed by an elephant.

Ntcheu Police spokesperson, Jacob Khembo, said the incident occurred on Sunday while Department of National Parks and Wildlife officers were attempting to drive three stray elephants back to Thuma Forest Reserve after they had wandered into nearby communities.

Khembo said police received a report from residents of Zalengela Village that three elephants had been spotted roaming in the area.

The police then alerted the Department of National Parks and Wildlife, which dispatched wildlife officers to drive the animals back to the forest.

Preliminary reports indicate that as the officers were herding the elephants, a crowd gathered at the scene, causing the animals to become agitated.

One of the elephants attacked and fatally injured Henderson.