Overview
- The elephant, identified as Sivam Lakshmi Ayyappan, became agitated during a morning bathing routine and ran through central Thrissur on Saturday, damaging vehicles, walls, roofs and trees.
- Mahouts and a forest department elephant squad brought the animal under control after about an hour by chaining its hind legs and preparing tranquiliser darts at the direction of the State Forest Minister.
- Authorities reported no fatalities and said a woman named Sangeetha, who was trapped in an overturned car, was pulled out by locals and escaped without injury.
- Photojournalists covering the incident said some local residents assaulted them and damaged equipment to prevent images being taken, adding tension between the press and the community.
- The elephant sustained multiple injuries during the rampage and its condition, along with the protocols for moving and parading captive temple elephants in urban areas, is now under official review.