Safari disaster: Two tourists killed by ‘rampaging’ elephant in Zambia

Two female tourists have been killed in a horrifying elephant attack while on safari in Zambia.

The women were walking with local guides when a female elephant charged at them, knocking them to the ground.

Police confirmed UK woman Easton Janet Taylor, 68, and Alison Jean Taylor, 67 from New Zealand, died in the attack.

They were at South Luangwa National Park looking for local game when the elephant suddenly began charging toward them.

Safari guides fired shots at the elephant in an attempt to prevent the animal from attacking.

The elephant, who was with a calf at the time of the attack, was hit and wounded but the shots failed to stop the rampage.

In a statement to 1News, Eastern Province Police Commissioner Robertson Mweemba said the armed officer had shouted “elephant” as the attack unfolded.

“As they turned to see, they saw it charging at a high speed and due to the fact that Alison Jean Taylor had a leg problem, she was caught first, and while the wildlife police officer fired warning shots, Easton Janet Taylor was caught as well,” Mr Mweemba said.

He confirmed the attack happened shortly after 6am local time on Thursday.

“Despite the presence of trained guides, the moment unfolded too swiftly,” Mr Mweemba said.

“Alison and Easton had spent four peaceful days immersed in nature’s embrace. Their journey was meant to continue — but instead, we remember them for their courage, their curiosity, and their love for life’s wild places.”

Both women have been taken to Mambwe District Hospital for mortuary services.

The New Zealand High Commission in Pretoria is providing consular assistance, according to a Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson.

There have been two other reported elephant attacks in Africa this year.

In January, a tourist was trampled to death while trying to save his grandson in Kruger Park in South Africa.

Shaik Adam Shabir Ammed, 59, was visiting the park with his two grandsons aged five and 11 when an elephant began charging toward them.

While running the 11-year-old boy fell and the elephant started attacking him with his trunk.

Mr Ammed ran back to save the boy, but the elephant turned and charged at him, brutally crushing him to death.

Another attack occurred this year in April when a 54-year-old man was killed by an elephant in Kenya.

In Thailand, a Spanish tourist was killed while bathing an elephant in January.

Blanca Ojanguren García, 22, was shoved by an elephant and died from a serious head injury sustained in the attack.

The ‘mahout’, an elephant ‘rider’, Theerayut Inthaphudkij was charged with negligence causing death.

In 2024 two tourists were killed in two separate elephant attacks in Zambia.