Temple elephant attacks mahout, kills two in Tamil Nadu

Chennai: In a tragic incident, a 45-year-old mahout and his relative were killed on Monday after a temple elephant trampled them. The incident took place at the Sri Subramanya Swamy Temple in Tiruchendur in Thoothukudi district.

Udhayakumar and Sivabalan, the relative, succumbed to their injuries at a hospital where they were rushed to after the elephant attacked them. The elephant, Deivanai, was inside its shed at the temple when Sivabalan apparently tried to enter the enclosure and began clicking selfies.

“It is because of the behaviour, we believe, the elephant got irritated and attacked Sivabalan,” a senior official with the Forest Department said. When Udhayakumar came running to save his relative, the elephant trampled upon the mahout as well.

“We are investigating the incident. But what we can confirm for now is the death of two persons,” a police officer told DH. Most temples in Tamil Nadu have at least one elephant which is a major attraction among devotees, especially kids.

After the incident, the temple was closed for rituals.