A British woman and her friend from New Zealand have died after being charged by an elephant whilst on a sunrise safari walk in Zambia.
The fatal attack occurred at approximately 6am on Thursday at South Luangwa National Park.
Eastern Province Police Commissioner Robertson Mweemba confirmed that the two women, aged 67 and 68, had been staying at Big Lagoon Bush Camp and were walking to another section of the facility when they encountered a female elephant with her calf.
The tourists had been on a four-day stay at the camp and were due to travel onwards to Takwela Camp when the tragedy struck.
A British woman and her friend from New Zealand have died after being charged by an elephant whilst on a sunrise safari walk in Zambia (stock pic)
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According to Commissioner Mweemba, the women spotted the elephant and her calf at a distance and attempted to divert their path by approximately 50 metres.
However, within minutes a tea bearer accompanying the group saw the elephant charging towards them.
Mweemba said: "Two female tourists while taking a safari walk to a crossing point at Luangwa river spotted an elephant with a calf at a distance and diverted about 50m away, but within few minutes after diverting a tea bearer who is usually behind saw the elephant charging at them."
The tea bearer shouted a warning, but as the women turned they saw the elephant approaching at high speed.
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Safari guides accompanying the group fired shots at the elephant in an attempt to halt the charge (stock pic)
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The New Zealand tourist, who had mobility issues affecting her leg, was struck first.
Safari guides accompanying the group fired shots at the elephant in an attempt to halt the charge.
They were unable to prevent both women from being fatally struck.
The elephant was wounded by the gunfire but the attack proved fatal for both tourists, who died at the scene.
The elephant was wounded by the gunfire (stock pic)
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A local tribute described how "a walk meant to explore turned sorrowful when a nursing elephant, accompanied by her calf, charged out of instinct."
The tribute noted that "despite the presence of trained guides, the moment unfolded too swiftly."
The incident follows two separate fatal elephant attacks on American tourists in Zambia last year, including 64-year-old Juliana Gle Tourneau and 79-year-old Gail Mattson.
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