A shocking moment occurred at a festival in Nong Bua Lamphu province, Thailand, where an elephant ran and trampled five people after being startled by fireworks at the event.
The 10-year-old elephant named Plai Khun Thong had been there with its 46-year-old owner, Sanga, to sell sugarcane to festival-goers on January 18 before fireworks were set off, scaring the animal into running through the crowd.
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Fireworks went off at the festival
One fair in Nong Bua Lamphu province in Thailand had a large number of people attending, with fireworks being part of the carnival’s opening ceremony.
The fireworks which were set off as a regular part of the occasion startled the animal.
The elephant was shocked by the sound
Having been there with its owner to sell sugarcane at the festival, the 10-year-old jumbo named Plai Khun Thong was startled by the fireworks set off at the event.
This caused the elephant to run through the crowd in fear, trampling over five people.
The incident was captured on video
The moment the elephant ran and trampled over multiple festival-goers was partially captured on camera, with footage showing the villagers and carnival attendees scattering in fear of being in the animal’s way.
Many seemed in great distress with many trying to help those who fell over.
The elephant ran through stalls
In the footage, you can see that in its panic, the elephant ploughed through stalls and tents as well as the large crowd of people present at the carnival.
The large animal was trying to flee the fireworks, having not expected the loud noise they made.
Five people were injured
In its frenzy, the elephant trampled several people, with five gaining minor injuries. Local authorities said the five were rushed to the provincial hospital.
Thankfully, none of those who were hurt by the elephant’s panic suffered any reported serious injuries.
One of the carnival-goers recalled it
One person who was wounded by the incident, a 51-year-old grandmother named Yanee, recalled the moment of being trampled by the elephant.
She explained that she had been walking with her grandson before she heard screams coming from behind her.
She didn’t have time to react
“I turned around to see what was going on, and saw the elephant running towards me,” the grandmother shared.
“I couldn’t react in time and it hit me. I fell and twisted my ankle, but my grandson was fine. We are lucky we weren’t crushed,” she added.
The local governor acknowledged the incident
Local governor Surasak Aksornkul spoke about the incident at the festival, saying he made sure officials assisted all the injured and affected people at the event.
“All of the injured have left Nong Bua Lamphu Hospital and returned home,” he said.
The governor asked people to file a complaint
Speaking about those who were injured in the incident, the local governor said, “They are urged to file a complaint against the elephant owner. I have also banned bringing elephants into the fair again.”
The elephant’s keeper was detained by police afterwards.
He allegedly admitted he didn’t get permission
The elephant keeper who was detained by authorities allegedly admitted to having not sought out permission to bring the elephant into the fairground.
He could be charged for moving the animal without receiving permission from a livestock office, an offense punishable with up to a year in jail, a fine of $585, or both.
