A 12-year-old child who went to see the elephants brought to the annual procession at the Panamura Kawantissa Rajamaha Viharaya in the Panamura Police Division died after being attacked by an elephant.

The victim is a resident of Galamuna in Embilipitiya.

Four elephants, which have been brought for the annual procession of Kawantissa Rajamaha Viharaya, were stabled on the temple premises, and crowds, including children from the vicinity, had also come to see the elephants.

The child among the crowd had been attacked by an elephant, and he was pronounced dead on admission to the hospital.