Man killed as Indian city attacked by elephants

A DEADLY rampage by two wild elephants which left a man dead has been captured on camera in an Indian town.

The incredible footage, taken by a local cameraman, shows the wild animals tearing through the streets of Mysore city, in southern India, as locals flee for cover.

The graphic video also includes the killing of a 55-year-old security guard from a nearby market who was gored to death in a doorway before one of the elephants turns its attention to a nearby cow.

The victim was identified as Renuka Prasad, 55.

"Prasad was trampled to death by one of the elephants near his house when he came out on hearing the commotion. Though he was rushed to a hospital, he died," said local minister BS Yeddyurappa.

The elephants, from a nearby forest, are thought to have accidentally stumbled across the city early yesterday morning.

Panic quickly spread in Mysore as the elephants' aggression grew.

One eyewitness said: "The two elephants entered our city and started stomping over every-thing that came in their way. One of them even entered a marketplace, and crushed a man to death within minutes."

Forest officials managed to tranquillise one of the elephants while the second was trapped on a nearby farm. Two other elephants are reported to remain at large on the outskirts of Mysore.

All schools and colleges in the area were shut, with people advised to stay indoors refrain from throwing stones at the animals. A spokesperson for the local forest authority blamed encroaching human settlements for causing the situation.

He said: "It's due to the clearance of forests on a large scale that such incidents happen. Other animals have entered residential areas and caused casualties too and it will continue if we do not do something soon."