Malappuram: Twenty-three people were injured when a captive elephant went out of control during the Puthiyangadi annual 'nercha', religious ceremony at a mosque near Tirur on late Tuesday night. One individual is in critical condition after being tossed by the elephant, while the remaining 22 sustained minor injuries in the ensuing panic and stampede.
The incident occurred around 12:30 am when one of the five elephants participating in the ceremony became agitated and charged towards the crowd. Video footage from the scene shows the elephant lifting a man with its tusk, swinging him around before hurling him away. The crowd, in a panic, fled, leading to further injuries.
The elephant was eventually subdued by its mahouts, who struggled to calm it down. Police confirmed that the mosque had obtained the necessary permissions to use elephants for the religious ceremony.
Authorities are investigating the incident, and the injured have been hospitalized, with one person being treated for critical injuries.
With PTI inputs