Kochi: Three women were killed and nearly 20 persons injured when an elephant ran amok during a temple festival near Perumbavoor on Sunday evening.
Peramangalam Thechikkottukavu Ramachandran, an elephant banned from public ceremonies by the High Court, turned violent during a ceremony at the Rayamangalam Koottumadam temple, near Perumbavoor, around 6 p.m. on Sunday, killing three women and injuring 20 persons, one being a child.
The elephant attacked Mattathil Naani, 65; Indira, 60; and Thankamma from Okkal during the temple ceremonies, and the three lost their lives. Thankamma was brought to a hospital in Kochi, but could not be saved.
The injured have been admitted to hospitals near Rayamangalam and Perumbavoor.
The District Collector has ordered an inquiry by the Revenue Divisional Officer, Muvattupuzha, into the incident.