60 injured as perahera elephant runs amok

Asela Kuruluwansa

Sixty people were injured when an elephant participating in the annual Esela Perehera of Lankathilaka Rajamaha Viharaya ran amok during the procession on Saturday night.

Organisers had to conclude the Perehera pre-maturely to rush the injured to hospital.

According to sources chaos reigned as people ran in all directions to avoid the rampaging elephant and had got injured in the ensuing stampede.

Some had also received burn injuries due to flares carried in the procession, sources said. Mahouts had been able to control the elephant. Hospital sources said the injured were out of danger.