Two female tourists were attacked by the animal which was with a calf, local police said
A British pensioner is among two female tourists killed by a charging elephant while on safari in Zambia, police have said.
The pair, believed to be aged 68 and 67, were attacked by the animal, which was with a calf, at the South Luangwa National Park.
The two tourists were trampled to death by the elephant after tour guides were unable to stop it by firing shots, local police chief Robertson Mweemba said. Both women died at the scene, he said.
It is understood the elephant was hit and injured by the gunfire.
The attack happened at the South Luangwa National Park in eastern Zambia, around 600 kilometres (370 miles) from the capital, Lusaka.
The women, one of whom was from New Zealand, were part of a group participating in a guided safari and were walking in the park when the elephant charged at them.
âThey were moving to other camps when the elephant charged from behind. We are really sorry that we have lost our visitors,â Mr Mweemba told the BBC.
âThey both died on the spot,â he added.
Female elephants are very protective of their calves and can respond aggressively to what they perceive as threats.
They are also know to create a shield around their young when they feel danger is close.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advice for UK travellers to Zambia warns the they are at risk of âpotentially fatal animal attacksâ.
âWild animals in the bush, including venomous snakes, are unpredictable and do kill. Whether you are travelling on land or water, you are at risk of potentially fatal animal attacks,â it states.
Last year, two American tourists were killed in separate encounters with elephants in different parts of Zambia. In both cases, the tourists were also elderly women and were on a safari vehicle when they were attacked.
The i Paper contacted the FCDO for comment.
