Wild elephant attacks car carrying foreign tourists, tramples cow to death

MUNNAR: A car carrying foreign tourists from Munnar to Thekkady was attacked and flipped by a wild elephant. Miraculously, all passengers escaped without major injuries. The incident took place around 11 AM yesterday near Devikulam Signal Point.

The car was carrying four tourists from Liverpool who had come to explore Kerala. The driver, upon spotting the elephant on the upper side of the road, slowed down and attempted to turn back. However, the elephant charged at the vehicle, stomping on it and flipping it over.

Locals present in the area rushed to the spot and lifted the car to rescue the passengers. The taxi driver, Ratheesh, stated that the vehicle landed upside down on the road due to the impact. While the tourists sustained no serious injuries, the car suffered significant damage. They were later sent to Thekkady in another vehicle.

After attacking the car, the elephant also trampled and killed a cow which stood nearby. A Rapid Response Team (RRT) soon arrived at the scene and drove the elephant away.

Officials confirmed that it was a lone tusker unfamiliar to the area, and its origin remains unclear. As there is a possibility of further attacks, the Forest Department has intensified surveillance in the region. The incident comes amid ongoing attacks by another notorious tusker, Padayappa, in the Munnar region, raising concerns about increasing elephant encounters.