NEW DELHI, Oct. 27 (Xinhua) -- Seven elephants were killed of electrocution in eastern Indian state of Odisha, officials said Saturday .

The elephants came into contact with a sagging live electric wire late Friday night in Dhenkanal district, about 70 km north of Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha.

"Seven elephants were killed due to electrocution here," a forest official posted at Dhenkanal told Xinhua. "After receiving the information about the deaths, we rushed our field spot to ascertain the details that led to the deaths of the wild animals."

According to forest officials, a herd of elephants was passing through the area after which seven of them die of electrocution, while the remaining others escaped unhurt.

Local media reports said the power line was being set up as part of a new railway line in the area.