Thrissur: An elephant went on a rampage in Thrissur on Saturday, causing damage to vehicles and houses and even flipping a car that had a woman inside. No one was fortunately injured.

The elephant, Shivalakshmi Ayyappan, turned violent when it was stopped near the South Gopuram entrance of Vadakkumnathan Temple for photography. The animal ran amok from Kattapparam in Peringav, moved through Palace Road and finally reached Gandhi Nagar Street, a densely populated area with around 300 houses. It has now been chained to a part of a wall but remains agitated.

According to Viyyur police, officials received an alert around 9.15 am. Police personnel, the elephant squad, and forest control officers arrived at the scene and are working to bring the situation under control. During the incident, the elephant damaged around six cars and the walls of two houses along its path. 

A resident who witnessed the elephant running amok said, "I spotted the elephant walking without a mahout and realised something was amiss. In a moment, the elephant flipped a moving car, trapping the people inside. All of us pulled them out of the car safely," the resident said. Sangeetha, the driver of the car, said she was on her way to the office. "A couple of people on a scooter warned me that an elephant was running towards this area and advised me to reverse. But since my daughter Sruthi was on a scooter behind me, I honked to signal her and asked her to go back. Soon, the elephant lifted my vehicle and flipped it. I was stuck inside, and onlookers pulled me out. I am still in shock," she said.

Thrissur Mayor Niji Justin added, "The animal has been brought under control for now. Discussions are ongoing on how to transport it safely. The elephant’s ears and limbs also sustained injuries," she said. Meanwhile, tensions arose between locals and media personnel covering the incident. Residents alleged that recording and broadcasting visuals of the elephant could reduce its chances of being called for temple festivals. During the confrontation, a cameraperson's equipment was hit, causing minor injuries.