Dar es Salaam, July 23 (IANS): A leopard strayed into a village in Tanzania's Handeni district and inflicted injuries on 3 people, police said.

Benedict Wakulyamba, Tanga regional police commander, confirmed the attack of the leopard on the three villagers on Saturday, saying the animal disappeared after the night raid, Xinhua news agency reported.

"The animal raided Gole village on Friday at night and attacked the villagers," said Wakulyamba.

Twahibu Hassan, one of the victims, said the leopard found its way in Gole village on Friday at night and started attacking residents it came across.

Hamisi Rashidi, another victim, said when he heard the noise from Hassan he came out of his house on a rescue mission only to end up being attacked by the leopard.

"I started to fight the animal until other villagers came and attacked the animal using every arsenal they had," said Rashidi.

"But before it disappeared, the leopard attacked another villager," said Rashidi.

Hudi Shehedadi, the Handeni district hospital medical officer, said all the three victims were treated at the health facility and he described their conditions as satisfactory.

The Handeni district wildlife officer, Mussa Rajabu, said they suspected the leopard sneaked from the nearby Saadan National Park in Bagamoyo district in Coast region.