Zambia Elephant attack kills British and New Zealand tourists

Two female tourists, including a British pensioner, are killed by a charging elephant, while on a safari in Zambia, the police have told the BBC.

The pair was attacked by a female elephant who was with a calf in South Luangwa National Park, said local police chief Robertson Mavemba.

Both tourists were killed by a nursing elephant, the shots failed after the tour guide’s attempts to stop the shots. Both women died on the spot, they said.

The BBC has approached the Foreign Office for comment.

Mr. Mavemba said that both women were part of a directed Safari group, which were running in the park when the elephant accused them at a high speed.

Both tourists stayed at the big lagoon camp for four days, from the capital Lusaka about 600 km (370 mi), where the attack took place.

Female elephants are very protective for their calves and zambian authorities have first asked tourists to take great care while observing wildlife across the country.

Last year, two American tourists were killed in separate attacks by elephants in the southern African country. Both cases consisted of elderly tourists who were in a safari vehicle when they were attacked.