3 Killed, 36 Injured As Elephants Run Amok At Kerala Temple Festival — Video

Kerala temple elephant attack: Eyewitnesses and police reports indicate that the two elephants, brought to the temple for the festival, suddenly became agitated. 

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed his condolences, calling it a “tragedy.” 

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Three devotees died and several others suffered injuries after two captive elephants ran amok during the festivities at Koyilandy in Kerala’s Kozhikode district. The incident that took place at 6 PM on Thursday left 36 people injured with some of them suffering critical injuries. 

The deceased have been identified as Ammukkutty, 70, Leela, 65, and Rajan, 70, all of whom succumbed to severe head injuries sustained during the panic, as per a report on The Hindu.

On Thursday, the final day of the celebrations, the temple grounds were packed with attendees. Eyewitnesses and police reports indicate that the two elephants, brought to the temple for the festival, suddenly became agitated. 

கேரளா: கோழிக்கோடு அருகே கோயில் திருவிழாவில் பங்கேற்ற 2 யானைகள் மோதல், பட்டாசு சத்தம் கேட்டு யானைகள் மிரண்டு ஓட்டம்,

யானைகள் மிதித்ததில் ஒருவர் உயிரிழப்பு, கூட்ட நெரிசலில் சிக்கி இரு பெண்கள் பலி..! #Kerala #Kozhikode #Elephant #Temple #Festival pic.twitter.com/fbhklQJmas

— Kᴀʙᴇᴇʀ - தக்கலை ஆட்டோ கபீர் (@Autokabeer) February 14, 2025

In a terrifying turn of events, the animals charged toward a small building near the shrine. The impact caused a portion of the building’s wall to collapse, trapping several people under the debris. The collapse directly led to the deaths of the three victims, while others sustained injuries in the ensuing chaos.

"People also panicked which resulted in a stampede leading to around 20 persons suffering minor injuries," an officer of Koyilandy police station said, as per a report on PTI.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed his condolences, calling it a “tragedy.” 

In response to the incident, State Forest Minister AK Saseendran has called for an urgent report from the District Collector and the Chief Forest Conservator (Social Forestry) of the Northern Region. The report will determine whether there were any violations of the Kerala Captive Elephants (Management and Maintenance) Rules, which govern the treatment and handling of elephants used in such events. Further action will be taken based on the findings of the investigation.

Meanwhile, State Health Minister Veena George has directed local hospitals to prioritize the treatment of the injured. Special arrangements have been made at the Koyilandy Taluk Hospital and Kozhikode Medical College to ensure that adequate medical personnel, including expert doctors and nurses, are available to care for the victims.