The elephant that was afraid of fireworks trampled five people.

The elephant that was afraid of fireworks trampled five people.

20.01.2025 14:02

At a festival in Thailand, an elephant startled by fireworks injured five people. The incident occurred in Nong Bua Lamphu province. The elephant, frightened by the fireworks launched during the carnival's opening ceremony, knocked over tents and stalls. The five injured individuals were taken to the hospital, but none sustained serious injuries. They are advised to file a complaint against the elephant's owner. Additionally, bringing elephants to the fair has been banned from now on.

In Thailand, an elephant frightened by fireworks injured five people by trampling them at a festival. The incident occurred on January 18 in Nong Bua Lamphu province.

A 10-year-old male elephant named Plai Khun Thong and his caretaker, 46-year-old Sanga, had come to the festival area to sell sugarcane to visitors. However, the elephant panicked due to the fireworks set off during the carnival's opening ceremony and went out of control.

In the footage, villagers can be seen fleeing in panic as the elephant tramples many people to the ground. The elephant, trying to escape the explosions, knocked over tents and stalls. The five injured individuals were taken to the hospital, but none had serious injuries.

One of the injured, a 51-year-old grandmother named Yanee, said, "I was walking with my grandson. I heard people screaming behind me. When I turned around, the elephant was running towards me. I didn't have time to react, and the elephant hit me. I fell and twisted my ankle, but my grandson was fine. We are lucky we weren't crushed."

The local governor, Surasak Aksornkul, ordered assistance for the injured and stated, "All the injured have been discharged from the hospital. They are advised to file a complaint against the elephant's owner. I have also banned bringing elephants to the fair from now on."

The police detained caretaker Sanga, who admitted to bringing the elephant to the fair without permission. If found guilty, he could face up to a year in prison and a fine of £477.

Approximately 4,000 elephants live in captivity in Thailand. These elephants are used in the tourism sector, cultural ceremonies, private rentals, or the forestry industry. Although animal rights groups have called for a ban on the ownership and use of elephants, most locals, including politicians, refuse to stop this exploitation.

While elephants are generally harmless, there have been several fatal elephant attacks in recent weeks. On January 3, Spanish tourist Blanca Ojanguren Garcia (22) died while bathing an elephant at an elephant care center in Phang Nga province. On December 15, farmer Thodsaporn Phiananukulbut (45) was trampled to death by an elephant that emerged from a sugarcane field while fishing in a canal in Prachinburi province.

The elephant frightened by fireworks trampled five people
The elephant frightened by fireworks trampled five people
The elephant frightened by fireworks trampled five people

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