A 23-year-old Spanish tourist was killed by an elephant while bathing the animal at a sanctuary in southern Thailand, local authorities confirmed on Monday. The tragic incident occurred at the Koh Yao Elephant Care Centre in Phang Nga province, where the elephant, reportedly in a panic, struck the woman with its trunk.
Police chief Jaran Bangprasert reported that the victim was struck while interacting with the elephant. Authorities are in contact with the Spanish embassy to confirm the victim’s identity, but the sanctuary has not released further details.
The incident highlights the dangers of wild elephants, with 227 people, including tourists, killed in the past 12 years due to attacks by wild elephants, according to the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation. Just last month, another elephant killed a 49-year-old woman in Loei province.
Although elephant bathing is a popular tourist activity in Thailand, animal rights groups have raised concerns about the distress it may cause the animals. There are calls for more sanctuaries to reconsider allowing such activities to ensure the well-being of elephants in captivity.