A 42-year-old woman was killed in a tiger attack in Salyan district on Friday, police said.

The deceased has been identified as Dhansari Rawat of Parseni, Kalimati Rural Municipality–7, an area close to the boundary of Banke National Park. She was reportedly attacked while collecting firewood in a nearby forest close to her home.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Hem Bahadur KC of the District Police Office, Salyan, said that Rawat had reportedly gone to the Hariyali Community Forest at around 8 am.

Locals alerted authorities at about 3:30 pm after witnessing a tiger dragging her into the forest.

A joint search team comprising local residents, police and the Nepali Army recovered her body nearly two hours later, around 500 metres from her home, in dense bushes inside the forest.

Police said the tiger had partially consumed the body.

Ward chairperson Mitralal Rijal of Kalimati Rural Municipality–7 said residents have been living in fear as tigers are frequently sighted in the area due to its proximity to the national park.

He added that people have found it risky to move alone because of frequent attacks by wild animals.