2 Tourists Killed After Zambian Elephant with Her Calf Charges at Them

Two group person been killed by an elephant while connected a safari successful Zambia.

Easton Taylor, 68, from nan United Kingdom and Alison Taylor, 67, from New Zealand, were connected a stepping safari in South Luangwa National Park erstwhile nan tragic incident occurred connected Thursday, July 3, according to ITV News, nan BBC and nan Associated Press.

The elephant was reportedly pinch her calf erstwhile she charged and trampled connected nan tourists.

While nan circuit guides tried to extremity nan animal by firing shots, they were unsuccessful and nan women died astatine nan scene.

According to nan BBC, nan British woman’s family is being supported by nan British Foreign Office. 

Despite nan women having nan aforesaid past names, it’s chartless whether they were related.

Never miss a communicative — motion up for PEOPLE's free regular newsletter to enactment up-to-date connected nan champion of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy personage news to compelling quality liking stories.

PEOPLE has contacted nan South Luangwa National Park, nan Zambia Police Service, British Foreign Office and nan New Zealand Foreign Affairs & Trade for comment.

Eastern Province police main Robertson Mweemba besides told nan outlet that nan brace were portion of a group being taken connected a circuit astatine nan park. They had besides been staying astatine nan Big Lagoon Camp for 4 days.

"They were moving to different camps erstwhile nan elephant charged from behind. We are really sorry that we person mislaid our visitors,"  Mweemba said. “They some died connected nan spot.”

Female elephants are protective and territorial complete their calves, nan BBC and AP reported.

"It is very difficult to power nan animals and visitors for illustration feeding them," Mweemba said, according to nan BBC.