Kerala Elephant Rampage: 1 Dead, 17 Injured in Festival Chaos

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Krishnan Kutty, 58, succumbed to injuries at a private hospital after being tossed by an elephant during Puthiyangadi nercha festival in Tirur, Kerala.

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Pakkathu Sreekuttan, the temple elephant, turned violent during the annual mosque festival, creating panic among hundreds of gathered devotees.

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The enraged elephant lifted Krishnan Kutty with its trunk, flinging him into the air, leading to critical injuries that proved fatal two days later.

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Seventeen people sustained injuries during the stampede-like situation as the crowd scrambled for safety when the decorated elephant charged into them.

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Multiple handlers struggled for nearly two hours to control the agitated elephant before finally securing it near a mast to prevent further incidents.

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The incident happened during Puthiyangadi nercha at BP Angadi mosque in Tirur, where crowds gathered for the annual festival.

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Five elephants adorned with golden plates were parading through the festival when Pakkathu Sreekuttan suddenly became aggressive.

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The mahout's attempts to control the elephant proved futile as it continued its rampage through the panic-stricken crowd.

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Krishnan Kutty died at 11:30 am Friday while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Kottakkal.

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The incident occurred on Wednesday morning when the elephant brought for the Puthiyangadi nercha ran amok during the festival.

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