THIS is the horrifying moment two elephants go on a deadly rampage in India killing at least three and leaving 30 others injured.
Video footage captured the chaotic scene at a festival in Kerala, where four-ton elephants went on a rampage after getting frightened by fireworks. The massive animals, filled with fear, caused destruction among the crowd, leaving locals terrified.
The giant Indian elephants went rogue in the frenzied attack which saw them go on a vicious stampede and throw people around.
The distressing video showcases the elephants in a state of panic as they collide with walls and even bring down an entire building in their frantic attempt to escape.
Witnesses said one of the elephants smashed into the other after fireworks sounded nearby.
This caused the pair to smash into an office building being used by the festival organisers.
Footage shows the moment the roof tiles begin to break off and plunge onto the floor below as the wild duo slammed into the wall.
As they quickly turned around, the structure broke off into pieces as debris flew off into the air.
Horrified onlookers were then left in the direct war path of the frightened animals as they sprinted away from the scene.
People can be seen miraculously moving around on the ground below the collapsed building.
Screaming locals can be seen in the clip running for their lives as the chained up elephants gallop towards a crowd.
At one point, a man who was clinging on to the larger nelly can be seen plunging towards the ground after losing his grip.
He smashes into the ground below and manages to narrowly avoid being trampled on as the elephants continue to run.
Officials said that the terrifying incident took place at around 6pm on Thursday at the Manakulangara temple in Kuruvangad, Koyilandy.
They confirmed two women and a man had been tragically found dead.
Another 30 people were injured with dozens being rushed to Kozhikode Medical College Hospital and Koyilandy Taluk Hospital.
Among those injured includes a ten-year-old girl.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan extended his condolences to the victims’ families and those injured after the tragic incident.
Officials have launched investigations into the violent incidents to determine if there was any violation of the rules governing the management and care of captive elephants in Kerala.
A preliminary investigation has revealed the temple had obtained permission to showcase both elephants as part of a parade.
But State Forest Minister AK Saseendran said if any rules around their usage was broken then organisers will face strict action.
Officials maintained that the situation is being closely monitored and efforts are being made to ensure that all those affected receive the necessary medical attention and care.
The tragic incident happened a day after a wild elephant attacked and murdered a 27-year-old man in the Wayanad district early on Wednesday morning.
World’s worst elephant attacks
THE SERIAL KILLER
In 2006, an elephant named Osama bin Laden slaughtered 27 people in northeast India before he was finally shot dead.
He was accused of savagely killing 14 villagers in just one month.
The 10ft beast terrorised villagers for two years, destroying hundreds of homes and crushing dozens of people to death – prompting locals to name him after the evil al-Qaeda leader.
SAFARI SNIPE
A rampaging elephant chased a safari truck before flipping it in Zambia –Â killing an elderly tourist.
The big beast used its three-foot tusks to hook under the truck and flip it onto its side as the terrified tourists screamed and clung to their seats.
A woman from the US, 80, was killed in the incident as another tourist was seriously injured and four others had minor injuries.
FESTIVAL CHAOS
In 2018, horrifying footage showed an elephant killing his trainer before goring several worshippers at an Indian festival.
During the festival, one of the elephants loses its cool and throws the four people riding it – including the trainer – to the ground.
As horrified onlookers begin to flee the grounds, the male bull starts hurling them about with his trunk and tusks like rag dolls.
The elephant then tramples the helpless trainer, killing him.
DISEMBOWELLED
A man was disemboweled and trampled to death by an elephant in Makueni, Kenya in 2020.
Charles Mutisya, 73, was brutally killed while tending to his farm at 7am one morning in December.
The elderly man was found with his “intestines hanging outside the stomach”.
TEMPLE OF DOOM
A temple worker was stomped to death by a wild elephant while taking a stroll In Hua Hin, Thailand.
Prasit Kanchanasilanon, 58, was found lying face-down in a pool of blood in front of the monks’ living quarters, according to the Bangkok Post.
He had suffered a fractured skull and a number of other horrific injuries.
CRUSHING BLOW
A furious elephant crushed a man to death after a crowd of workers teased a herd passing through a tea plantation with loud noises.
The swarm of workers started taunting and chasing the elephants in a bid to scare them off by shouting and honking car horns.
After darting towards the workers, the huge Indian elephant made a beeline for a man who had stumbled by the roadside while trying to escape before trampling him to death.
PAIR OF WILD BEASTS
At least one man was killed in southern India when two wild elephants went on a three-hour rampage leaving behind a trail of carnage.
A 55-year-old security guard was trampled to death after he came out of his house to see what was going on amid the widespread panic.
Horrific footage showed the bloodied body of the man after being repeatedly gored, butted and trampled in a doorway.
