Terrifying moment angry elephant goes berserk at Buddhist parade as pilgrims run for their lives jumping into water
THIS is the terrifying moment an angry elephant caused havoc at a Buddhists parade causing people to plunge into the water.
The chaos was captured on video at a festival parade in Sri Lanka which draws huge crowds each year.
Hundreds of people running from five gigantic elephants caused a stampede at the Esala Perahera in Kandy on August 23, 2023.
The footage shared on social media showed pilgrims panicking and trying to escape from the dangerous animals.
Video showed the elephants storming down the street while being chased by locals.
Dozens of pilgrims tried to seek refuge elsewhere jumping into the Kandy Lake to save their lives.
Sri Lankan police claimed a woman and a child were forced to dive into the water to avoid being crushed.
Other victims were later rescued and taken to safety by the police.
At least one person has been taken to Kandy National Hospital and many more injured.
After several attempts to calm the enraged animals, mahouts and vets chained the jumbos following the intense chase.
It is believed they were distressed caused by the long exposure to the loud noises and the amount of people blocking the street.
Animal experts claimed high temperatures of the day could have agitated the dehydrated elephants.
The Kandy Esala Perahera, also known as The Festival of the Tooth, is a historical procession that pays homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha.
The parade lasts over a week and ends with the display of a relic casket – which is believed to contain the a tooth belonging to the Buddha.
The centuries-old cultural event has previously been criticised by animal activists and asked to put an end to their use.
It comes as at least 85 people died in a horror stampede during the holly month of Ramadan in Yemen, last April.
More than 70 people were reported injured including women and children in the capital of Sana’a.
Video shared on social media showed dozens of bodies strewn across the streets motionless while others scream for help.
Distressing video footage showed blood on the streets with abandoned shoes and clothing scattered around.
Elsewhere, in El Salvador a stampede left 12 dead and more than 100 injured at a football match.
Authorities said the tragedy took place after a crew of fans tried to enter Cuscatlan Stadium to watch a quarterfinal match between the Alianza and FAS clubs.