Tragedy Strikes Kerala Temple Festival: Three Dead and 30 Injured as Elephants Go Berserk

 In a tragic incident, three people were killed and several others injured after two elephants ran amok during a festival at Manakulangara Temple at Kuruvangad near Koyilandy in Kerala’s Kozhikode district on Thursday.

Agencies,  Kozhikode, Kerala - February 13, 2025: A tragic incident unfolded at the Manakkulangara Bhagavathy temple in Kuravangad, Koyilandy, on Thursday, when two captive elephants, brought to the temple for an annual festival, went on a rampage, killing at least three people and injuring 24 others. The chaos was reportedly triggered by the loud sound of firecrackers set off during the temple's celebrations.

The incident occurred on the final day of the festival, as the elephants participated in the evening procession known as 'seeveli.' At approximately 6 PM, one of the elephants became aggressive after being startled by the fireworks, pushing the other elephant with its tusks. This provoked a brief scuffle between the animals, causing panic among the crowd. As people scrambled to escape, many were trampled or injured in a stampede. A temporary festival office also collapsed under the elephants’ movements.

The three victims, identified as Leela (65), Ammukutty Amma (70), and Rajan, died during the ensuing stampede. At least 30 others were injured, including a 10-year-old girl. Among the injured, eight people are in critical condition, with many others receiving treatment at Kozhikode Medical College and nearby hospitals.

According to Rajeesh, a local municipal councillor, the elephants were agitated by the fireworks, which led to the violent outburst. He explained that while it is unclear whether the victims were killed by the elephants or in the stampede, many were severely hurt in the chaos. Visual footage from the scene showed the elephants charging and pushing each other, which further heightened the panic.

Koyilandy MLA Kanathil Jameela commented that most of the injuries were caused by people falling during the commotion and being kicked by the elephants. She confirmed that those with minor injuries were treated at the taluk hospital, while more serious cases were transferred to Kozhikode Medical College.

This incident follows a series of similar tragedies in Kerala involving captive elephants. Just days before, a 38-year-old man was killed by an elephant at a temple festival in Thrissur, and another fatality occurred when a mahout was trampled by an elephant in Palakkad earlier this month.

Despite these recurring incidents, the use of elephants in religious processions remains a controversial and entrenched tradition in Kerala. As of last year, the state has 388 captive elephants, the majority of which are privately owned and routinely used in temple festivals. However, incidents of elephants running amok during such events are becoming increasingly common, raising concerns about animal welfare and public safety.

The Kerala High Court had previously issued guidelines aimed at improving safety during these festivals, including measures to ensure a three-meter gap between elephants, limits on procession hours, and mandatory rest periods for the animals. Yet, the implementation of these guidelines has faced resistance, with some temple organizers arguing that they would halt traditional festivals. A Supreme Court ruling in December 2024 temporarily stayed the high court’s directive, offering relief to festival organizers.

Authorities are investigating the incident in Koyilandy, with efforts focused on preventing such tragedies in the future. Meanwhile, the community remains in shock as they mourn the victims of this devastating incident.  

(with inputs from Hindustantimes and Mathrubhumi )