Overview

• Two elephants became aggressive after being startled by fireworks and loud music at the Manakkulangara Bhagavathi Temple in Koyilandy, Kozhikode district.
• The chaos led to the death of three individuals—two women and one man—and left at least 35 others injured, with some suffering serious injuries.
• A stampede ensued, and part of a temporary festival office collapsed, trapping several people beneath the debris.
• Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed condolences to the victims' families, while state officials initiated an investigation into potential violations of elephant management guidelines.
• The incident has reignited debates about the safety and ethical concerns surrounding the use of elephants in religious festivals, which has been a contentious issue in Kerala.