What happened at the Valiyavilakku festivities in Kerala?

An elephant named Akkikavu Karthikeyan attacked a 26-year-old man named Vivek during the festivities, flinging him across the venue.

What is the condition of the man attacked by the elephant?

The victim, Vivek, was taken to Apollo Adlux Hospital in Angamaly and is reported to be in serious condition.

Why are elephants being used in religious festivals controversial in India?

Experts warn that the stress from crowded, high-noise religious festivals can provoke sudden and unpredictable reactions from elephants, leading to incidents like this one.

Home / Disasters and Accidents / Chaos Erupts: Elephant Flings Man at Kerala Fest

Chaos Erupts: Elephant Flings Man at Kerala Fest

26 Feb

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Summary

An elephant violently attacked a 26-year-old man at a festival.
The incident occurred during the annual Valiyavilakku festivities in Kerala.
The attack reignites debate on using elephants in noisy festivals.

Chaos Erupts: Elephant Flings Man at Kerala Fest

An elephant named Akkikavu Karthikeyan caused terror at the Valiyavilakku festivities in Kerala on Thursday, February 26, 2026. The animal suddenly attacked a 26-year-old man, Vivek, who was standing nearby.

The elephant wrapped its trunk around Vivek, lifted him upside down, and violently flung him across the crowded venue. This terrifying event was captured on video, shocking onlookers.

Vivek was immediately transported to Apollo Adlux Hospital in Angamaly, where he is currently in serious condition. Temple officials swiftly contained the elephant and suspended the ongoing ceremonies.

Authorities, including a specialized elephant response team, are investigating the incident to determine the cause of the elephant's violent reaction. The event has intensified discussions about the ethical use of elephants in crowded religious festivals across India.

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