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Two separate elephant rampage incidents at temple festivals in Kerala left a lorry driver and a mahout (trainer and caretaker for an elephant) dead, while several others were injured.
The incidents have prompted renewed conversations regarding the safety of using captive elephants at temple festivals.
A captive elephant went berserk at the Sree Mahavishnu Temple in Kidangoor, Angamaly, while being taken for a routine bath after festival duties. Police said the animal broke free from control and went on a rampage near the temple premises.
The elephant overturned a car multiple times and damaged several two-wheelers.
Handlers and assistants tried in vain to restrain the elephant. The driver of the lorry that transported the elephant was trampled to death during the incident. Two people were injured, including the mahout, who remains in a serious condition.
In a second incident on the same day, another elephant turned violent at the Koodalmanikyam Temple in Irinjalakuda, killing a mahout and injuring another.
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