Elephant tramples two tourists to death in Zambia

Nov. 13 (UPI) -- An elephant trampled two tourists to death while they were on a safari in Zambia, wildlife officials said.

Van Griensven, 61, from Holland and Sabine Elfride, 57, from Belgium died Saturday when the elephant charged them at Maramba River lodge in Livingstone. They were watching a group of elephants near the lodge, the Senior Wildlife Warden Southern Region Lewis Daka told ZNBC.

Daka said Holland rushed to save Elfride when the elephant charged at her as she moved closer to take pictures of it.

"A lady from Belgium aged 57 and a 64-year-old man from the Netherlands were killed as they went close to the elephant trying to take photographs," police spokesman Danny Mwale said, according to Sky News.

An influx of elephants has been reported in the area and a security officer from one of the lodges in Livingstone was trampled on his way to work last week.

Daka said tourists shouldn't be allowed near wild animals such as elephants because they are dangerous.