In a tragic incident, five devotees were killed, and several others injured when a herd of elephants attacked them in the Seshachalam forest of Andhra Pradesh’s Annamayya district. The incident occurred around 5:30 AM on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, as the devotees were on their way to the Lord Shiva temple at Talakona to celebrate Mahashivratri.

Details of the Incident

According to police, the devotees were walking through the forest when they encountered the elephants. In an attempt to scare the animals away, the group shouted, which reportedly aggravated the elephants. The herd became aggressive, encircled the devotees, and attacked them. While some managed to escape, five individuals were trampled to death on the spot, and several others sustained injuries.

Police and forest department officials quickly arrived at the scene and launched a rescue operation. The injured were rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors reported that two of the victims were in critical condition. The deceased were identified as residents of Urlagaddapadu village in the Railway Koduru Mandal.

The Seshachalam forest is known for its wildlife, including elephants, and such incidents highlight the challenges of human-wildlife coexistence. The devotees were part of a larger group heading to the Talakona temple, a popular pilgrimage site, especially during Mahashivratri. Authorities have urged caution for those travelling through forested areas, particularly during early morning or late evening hours when wildlife activity is high.

Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan have expressed their condolences to the affected families and announced a compensation of Rs 10 L for the families of the deceased and Rs 5 Lakhs for the injured.