WATCH: Elephant rampage at Kerala festival leaves 17 injured in India

Footage from the event captured five elephants, adorned with golden plates, parading through the crowd.
News Desk | January 08, 2025

At least 17 people were injured, including one critically, when an elephant became agitated during festival in Kerala’s Malappuram district in India, local media reported on Wednesday.

Footage from the event captured five elephants, adorned with golden plates, parading through the crowd as attendees tried to capture the moment on their cameras. However, one of the elephants suddenly became agitated.

Despite the mahout’s efforts to regain control, the elephant charged into the crowd, triggering widespread panic.

In the chaos, the elephant lifted one man into the air and tossed him, leaving him critically injured. The victim was rushed to a hospital and is currently undergoing treatment. Most of the injuries were caused by a stampede-like situation as people scrambled to find safety.

Several men attempted to restrain the elephant using chains, and it took nearly two hours to calm the animal. Once subdued, the elephant was secured near a mast to prevent further incidents.

This comes just days after a 37-year-old tribal man was killed by a wild elephant near Nilambur.

In November 2024, a tragic incident had occurred in Chennai when a 45-year-old mahout and his relative were killed after being trampled by a temple elephant at the Sri Subramanya Swamy Temple in Thoothukudi district.

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