17.02.2025 10:10
At a festival held in the Indian state of Kerala, two elephants panicked and went out of control after being startled by fireworks. This situation caused great chaos in the festival area, resulting in the deaths of at least 3 people and injuries to 30 others. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, looking into whether the Kerala Captive Elephants Regulation was violated. It is noteworthy that this incident occurred just one day after another event in which a wild elephant killed a person.
Terrible moments occurred in India. Two elephants, frightened by fireworks, caused horror in the festival area, resulting in the deaths of at least 3 people and injuries to 30 others.
During the festival held at the Manakulangara temple in Kerala, four-ton Indian elephants lost control due to the nearby sounds of fireworks. Footage shows the panicked elephants crashing into walls and even demolishing a building.
According to eyewitnesses, one of the elephants collided with the other after the sound of fireworks. In the process, they also damaged the office building used by the festival organizers. Moments were captured on camera showing roof tiles breaking and falling to the ground, and the building being destroyed.
The terrified crowd tried to escape from the destruction caused by the panicked elephants. In the footage, people can be seen screaming and fleeing as the chained elephants ran towards the crowd. At one point, a person trying to hold onto a large elephant fell to the ground but narrowly escaped being trampled under the elephants' feet.
Authorities confirmed that the incident occurred around 6:00 PM on Thursday. Two women and one man lost their lives, while 30 people, including a 10-year-old girl, were injured. The injured were taken to Kozhikode Medical College Hospital and Koyilandy Taluk Hospital.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed condolences to the families of the victims and the injured. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident and are looking into whether the Kerala Captive Elephants Management Regulations were violated.
Initial investigations revealed that the temple had received permission to showcase both elephants for the procession. However, Forest Minister AK Saseendran stated that strict measures would be taken against the organizers if any violations of the rules were found.
This tragic event occurred just a day after a wild elephant killed a 27-year-old man in the Wayanad region on Wednesday morning.