this Putyangadi Festival According to the latest news, a horrific incident occurred last night at the BP Angadi Masjid in Malappuram district of Kerala. An elephant went berserk and threw a man into the air, injuring 24 people and shaking the crowd. .
The festival is known for its grand procession of elephants adorned with gold ornaments, which reportedly attracts huge crowds. People gathered to watch the statue parade through the streets, with many capturing the moment on their mobile phones. But things changed when one of the elephants, named Pakkathu Sreekuttan, suddenly became restless.
Watch the video here:
Kerala: An elephant lost control during the annual puja at the BP Angadi Masjid in Tirur, Malappura, injuring 24 people, one of whom was seriously injured. The incident occurred at 12:30 p.m., causing attendees to panic and flee the scene. pic.twitter.com/ebUnVvQeCY
— IANS (@ians_india) January 8, 2025
The mahout tried to control it, but Prakatu Srikutan made a mad dash towards the crowd. To everyone’s surprise, the elephant lifted a man with its trunk and threw him several feet into the air, according to media reports.
According to reports, the sudden outbreak caused panic, people fled in all directions, and the scene was chaotic. At least 24 people were injured, some seriously. Emergency services arrived quickly. The injured in the unfortunate incident have been rushed to the nearest hospital for treatment. What was supposed to be a joyful holiday was brought to an abrupt end by this unfortunate incident.
Similar incidents occur rarely, but it is believed the elephants’ behavior is the result of stress and overcrowding. Elephants are sensitive animals and can easily become upset when exposed to loud noises, overcrowded spaces, or people invading their personal space. In this particular case, the large crowds and people trying to photograph the elephant may have caused stress and caused the elephant to suddenly erupt.
The shocking incident raises serious concerns for the safety of festival goers and the animals involved. There are now growing calls for stricter security measures due to the central role the statues play in such cultural events. Many believe that more care should be taken to protect people and animals, with greater crowd control and better management of elephants.
Animal welfare groups have long called for better care of elephants during festivals, and this incident shows why more humane and regulated practices are needed.
While local authorities have yet to announce any specific changes, the event has sparked wider discussions about the safety risks of such public celebrations. As the community reflects on what happened, many are urging a closer look at how plans for such a festival keep people and animals safe.
