Elephant Rampage at Kerala Temple Festival Claims Three Lives

In the southern Indian state of Kerala, near the Manakkulangara Bhagavathy Temple close to Koyilandy town in Kozhikode district, a tragic incident occurred when two elephants began fighting during a temple festival. One elephant reportedly became violent and attacked the other, forcing both to run amok. Their rampage resulted in significant damage to a section of the temple’s office building, where part of the wall collapsed and trapped several people beneath it—an event that sadly claimed the lives of two women and a man.

Authorities suspect that the loud sounds of fireworks and music played during the festival may have triggered the aggressive behavior in the elephants. As panic ensued among the devotees, a stampede broke out, causing additional injuries; the initial count later rose to 35 individuals who suffered severe injuries. Local officials, including representatives from law enforcement and municipal authorities, have since called for an urgent inquiry into the incident, with forest officials and ministerial bodies promising a thorough examination of the management practices involving captive elephants.

This unfortunate episode is part of a concerning trend in which elephants, used during religious and cultural festivals, sometimes react violently under stressful conditions. Similar incidents have been reported previously in Kerala and elsewhere, drawing attention to the risks posed to both the animals and the public. Animal rights groups continue to raise alarms over the treatment of these creatures during such events, arguing that the conditions imposed on them can lead to dangerous outcomes for everyone involved.