Elephant rampage in Kozhikode: 3 dead, 36 injured during temple festival

In a separate attack in Thrissur claimed the life of a trader who was attacked by an elephant during a temple celebration.

Three people were killed, and 36 others were injured, while many are in critical condition when two elephants went on a rampage during a temple festival in Koyilandy on Thursday, police officials said. The incident occurred around 6 pm at the Manakulangara temple in Kuruvangad, Koyilandy.

The victims, identified as Ammukkutty (70),  Leela (65), and Rajan (70), tragically succumbed to severe head injuries after falling while trying to flee the scene. Several others sustained injuries in the chaos that followed.

According to the police, the disturbance began when one of the elephants panicked due to the loud fireworks that were part of the temple festival. The panic led the elephant to attack another elephant standing nearby. The confrontation between the two elephants caused a stampede, with people fleeing the area, resulting in some falling and being trampled. The elephants also damaged the temple’s office, trapping individuals beneath the debris.

Bindu PB, the Anela-Kuruvangad ward councillor, explained that the situation escalated when the aggressive behaviour of one elephant provoked the other. "In the panic that followed, many festival attendees sustained injuries. The elephants were eventually subdued by their caretakers," she said.

In response to this tragic incident, Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran has demanded a detailed report from the District Collector and Chief Conservator of Forests (Northern Region). The minister has also called for an investigation into whether all safety regulations concerning the use of elephants in temple festivals were followed. "Strict action will be taken if any violations are found," he said.

This tragic incident occurred less than three months after the Kerala High Court had issued stringent guidelines for the use of elephants in temple parades and festivals. However, the Supreme Court had temporarily stayed these restrictions, deeming them "impracticable."

The rampage follows a similar incident last week, when two people were killed after elephants caused havoc at a festival at a mosque in Palakkad. Additionally, a separate attack in Thrissur claimed the life of a trader who was attacked by an elephant during a temple celebration.