Dutchman trampled to death by elephant on Zambian holiday

An African elephant in Zambia. Photo: Depositphotos.com

A 64-year-old Dutchman and a 57-year-old woman from Belgium have been trampled to death by an elephant in Zambia.

According to Zambian media, the two were attacked by the elephant near the Maramba River lodge when they got too close while trying to take photographs.

‘Police officers who visited the scene and found the bodies of the deceased lying on the ground with multiple injuries all over their bodies,’ the Lusaka Times said.

The woman had lived in Africa for 16 years and understood how to behave near elephants, according to ZNBC.

Senior wildlife warden Lewis Daka told the broadcaster he had been told the Belgian woman ‘went very close to the elephant to get pictures when something made the elephant agitated and charge at her.’

Daka said the Dutchman tried to save the lady and in the process the elephant also charged at him.

The Dutchman’s family also told reporters that he had been trying to save the woman, who was some 25 metres from the animal when it charged. It is unclear from the Dutch media reports if they witnessed the attack.

The incident happened near the Victoria Falls on the border with Zimbabwe.

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