Tragedy in Thailand: Student Killed by Elephant at Popular Tourist Spot
Tragedy in Thailand: Student Killed by Elephant at Popular Tourist Spot
In a tragic incident, a 22-year-old Spanish student, Blanca Ojanguren Garcia, was killed by an elephant while bathing it at the Koh Yao sanctuary in Thailand. The sanctuary, which is currently closed, is known for providing responsible and ethical interactions with elephants. The animal care center has confirmed the incident, stating that the elephant did not gore the student as previously reported. The university student's death has shocked her former school, Pinoalbar Development School. Experts suggest that the elephant may have been stressed due to the pressure of living and interacting with tourists. In Thailand, over 240 deaths from wild elephant attacks have been reported in the past 12 years, with 39 deaths reported in 2024 alone.