Shocking moment as angry elephant swings worshiper by the leg with its trunk during rampage through Indian temple

This is the shockFor one moment, an angry elephant swung a worshiper around with its trunk during its rampage through an Indian temple.

Footage shows the elephant grabbing the man by the leg and throwing him around during a religious festival at the BP Angadi Mosque in Malappuram, Kerala, on January 6.

This prompted the frantic worshipers to flee, running away from the animal and running to safety.

Elephant riders can be seen nearby comforting the distressed animal, which had a gold headdress adorning its head, and removed some decorations in an attempt to calm its aggression.

The man thrown around by the mammal reportedly suffered serious injuries, while police said 23 other worshipers were injured in the stampede.

One of the most prominent religious festivals in the region, Thrissur Pooram is a spectacular temple festival held in the cultural capital of the state.

The festival is known for its beautiful elephant processions, where decorated elephants march to the beat of drums.

In Kerala, known as God’s own country, elephants are an integral part of the cultural ethos and are deeply linked to the religious and social functions of the state.

The elephant was seen swinging the man around by his leg after grabbing him with his trunk. This prompted the frantic worshipers to flee, running away from the animal and running to safety

Elephant riders can be seen nearby comforting the distressed animal and removing some of the jewelry it is wearing in an attempt to alleviate its aggression

Their presence at Hindu temple festivities is considered auspicious.

The subcontinent is home to at least 30,000 wild elephants – more than any other country and about 60 percent of the world’s entire Asian elephant population.

This comes after a Spanish tourist died when an elephant forcefully knocked her over with its trunk at a popular animal sanctuary in Thailand.

Blanca Ojanguren Garcia, 22, from Valladolid, was bathing an elephant at Koh Yao Reserve on Thailand’s Yao Yai island on January 3 when the animal suddenly dealt her the fatal blow.

Garcia, a law and international relations student, was rushed to a nearby hospital, where she later died.

According to Spanish national newspaper El Pais, the incident was confirmed by local police and the elephant sanctuary, which is currently closed.

It was previously claimed that the university student was stabbed by the elephant, but the trusted Spanish news agency EFE confirmed that this was not the case.

The incident was confirmed by local police and the shelter, which is currently closed due to the tragic accident.

The festival is known for its beautiful elephant processions, where decorated elephants march to the beat of drums

Blanca Ojanguren Garcia, 22, from Valladolid, died in Thailand after an elephant forcefully knocked her over with its trunk at a popular animal sanctuary

Spanish newspaper El Mundo reported that about 18 people were present at the time of the incident, including Garcia’s friend. As far as we know, no one else was injured.

The Spaniard studied at the University of Navarra but lived in Taiwan while she completed a six-month study abroad program at Tamkang University.

This year she would have received her bachelor’s degree.

The Spanish Foreign Ministry said the consulate in Bangkok was in contact with Garcia’s family.

Her body has now been transferred to a hospital on Phuket island, where repatriation procedures are being prepared.

Valladolid Mayor Jesus Julio Carnero went to X to express his “deepest condolences” to Garcia’s family.