India, Nov. 4 -- Four elephants fell into a well inside the Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary in Chhattisgarh's Balodabazar-Bhatapara district on Tuesday morning, prompting forest authorities to launch a rescue operation.

Principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife) Arun Kumar Pandey said the well at Hardi village within the sanctuary had no boundary wall. He added top officials and rescue teams rushed to the site after residents spotted the struggling elephants and informed the forest department.

Excavators have been deployed for a ramp along the side of the well to enable the elephants to climb out safely. Officials said forest personnel were monitoring the situation closely to ensure the animals were rescued without injury.

Effort...