Three Killed, 36 Injured as Two Elephants Run Amok During Temple Festival in Kerala
Kozhikode, Kerala February 14, 2025
A tragic incident unfolded at the Manakkulangara Bhagavathi Temple in Kuruvangad, near Koyilandy, when two captive elephants ran amok during a temple festival on Thursday evening (February 13, 2025). The incident resulted in the death of three individuals and left 36 others injured, many of whom are reported to be in critical condition.
The victims, identified as Ammukkutty (70), Leela (65), and Rajan (70), sustained fatal head injuries after falling to the ground in a desperate attempt to escape the chaos.
How the Incident Unfolded
The violent rampage occurred around 5:30 p.m. during a ritualistic procession at the festival, which involved the parading of caparisoned elephants as part of the Seeveli ceremony.
Triggering Event: According to police sources, the elephants panicked after hearing loud firecrackers used as part of the traditional celebrations. Elephant Aggression: One elephant jabbed its tusk into the second elephant, leading to a violent confrontation between the two. Panic and Stampede: As the two elephants engaged in a fight, a huge panic ensued among devotees, with people scrambling for safety. Temple Property Destroyed: One of the rampaging elephants destroyed the temple committee office, further escalating the chaos.
Casualties and Injuries
The three deceased victims suffered severe head injuries in the commotion. Emergency responders confirmed their deaths at the scene.
36 people sustained injuries, many of whom are currently undergoing treatment at local hospitals. Several individuals suffered fractures, bruises, and trauma-related injuries due to the stampede and falling debris. Authorities fear that the injury toll may rise, as some victims remain in critical condition.
Emergency Response and Investigation
Rescue operations were launched immediately, with ambulances and medical teams rushing to the scene. The police and forest department officials managed to tranquilize the elephants after several hours of effort. An investigation has been initiated to determine whether festival organizers followed safety protocols for managing captive elephants during processions.
Concerns Over Elephant Use in Festivals
This tragic event has once again sparked a debate over the ethical and safety concerns of using captive elephants in religious festivals.
Animal rights activists have long raised concerns about stress and trauma faced by elephants in noisy public gatherings. Incidents of elephant rampages have occurred in the past in Kerala, prompting calls for stricter regulations on the use of elephants in temple festivities. Authorities may now re-evaluate safety measures for handling captive elephants during large-scale religious events.
