A Spanish woman was tragically killed by an elephant while washing the animal at a sacred site in southern Thailand on Friday, according to local police.
Blanca Ojanguren Garcia, 22, and her boyfriend were bathing an elephant at the Koh Yao elephant care center when the animal appeared to panic and attacked her, police told CNN, reports Sinjali.
Elephant bathing in animal sanctuaries is a popular activity for tourists in Thailand, which is home to both wild and domesticated elephant populations.
Garcia was visiting Thailand with her boyfriend, and the couple had taken a day trip to the center on Koh Yao Yai Island while staying on the popular Thai tourist island of Phuket, said Charan Bangprasert, head of the Koh Yao district police, to CNN.
The owner of the center notified the police of the incident on Friday, and an investigation is underway, according to the police chief.
