Tourist, 22, killed by elephant at popular Thailand sanctuary after it ‘sunk tusk into her’ while she was bathing animal

A Spanish tourist named Blanca Ojanguren García tragically lost her life while bathing an elephant at a sanctuary in Thailand.

While washing the animal, the elephant suddenly attacked her, driving its tusk into her and causing fatal injuries.

Blanca Ojanguren García was killed by an elephant while she was bathing the animal
Blanca Ojanguren García was killed by an elephant while she was bathing the animalCredit: Linkedin
Blanca was on holiday with her boyfriend when the tragedy struck
Blanca was on holiday with her boyfriend when the tragedy struck

Despite efforts to save her, Blanca succumbed to her injuries and passed away later. It was a devastating and unexpected turn of events.

The 22-year-old was bathing the animal at Koh Yao Elephant Care centre on the island of Yao Yai, Clarin reports.

Blanca reportedly passed in front of the animal when it attacked.

Blanca, from Valladolid in northwest Spain, was a student at the University of Navarra and was in Thailand travelling.

She was with her boyfriend at the time.

Navarra University said it “expresses its sorrow” for García’s death and “shares the grief of her family and asks for prayers for her soul.”

Blanca had been on exchange and living in Taiwan when she had travelled to Thailand for a holiday.

Washing elephants is a popular activity at some sanctuaries in Thailand.

Experts told Clarín the elephant had likely become stressed due to interacting with tourists.

Some 4,000 elephants live in sanctuaries, national parks, and nature reserves in Thailand.

Mother, 49, tramped to death by crazed elephant in park in Thailand

There are a similar number of domesticated elephants which are used in tourist shows.

In the past 12 years, there have been 240 deaths from wild elephant attacks,

Some 39 deaths have happened in 2024 alone, according to data from the Department of National Parks.

It comes just weeks after a 49-year-old mum was trampled by an elephant while she was on a hike.

Jiranan Panyaprasertying was exploring one of the country’s national parks with a pal when they were chased by the charging wild beast.

Tragically, Jiranan tripped as she fled with the angry elephant then stepping on her head and crushing her skull.

In November, a zookeeper was sent to hospital care after he was crushed by an elephant at a safari park in Bedfordshire.

The worker was cleaning the animals when ten-year-old Tarli slammed him against some steel bars.

He was left “screaming in agony” after the Asian elephant put its full force into the attack and is understood to have cracked his ribs.

Washing elephants is a popular activity to do in Thailand
Washing elephants is a popular activity to do in ThailandCredit: Getty
You May Also Like

Virginia Giuffre, an Epstein victim, charged by police days before bus crash leaves her on deathbed

Virginia Giuffre, a victim of sex trafficking, found herself in legal trouble…

Australian authorities provide mysterious update on Virginia Giuffre’s car accident following her near-death experience.

COPS in Australia have issued a puzzling update after Virginia Giuffre claimed…

Jude Law’s little-seen daughter is ready to shine: Actor’s child with WAG and The Voice contestant steps into the spotlight on TV… and bears a striking resemblance to her father!

Jude Law’s three eldest children have already followed his footsteps into acting,…

Have Jacqui and Clint from MAFS Australia Begun a Relationship? Details of their Timeline Exposed

Hello, fans of reality TV shows! If you’ve been watching Married at…

Terrifying Incident: 7-year-old girl thrown by intense electric shock in shower of sparks when she touched live wire

THIS is the horrific moment a girl is electrocuted in a massive…

Russian Women Marrying Soldiers to Claim Compensation from Putin in Ukraine

Russian women are taking advantage of the conflict created by Putin by…

Iceland Holiday Destination on High Alert as Volcano Erupts and Tourists Evacuated

A HUGE volcano is on the brink of erupting with locals and…

“Suffolk Law Graduate Dubbed ‘Screaming Banshee’ Smelling of Liquor Hits victim With Car and Insults Officer”

Lauren Mullins, an aspiring lawyer, was driving home in Cambridge, Massachusetts, after…

Jennifer Lawrence welcomes her second child with husband Cooke Maroney

Jennifer Lawrence has welcomed her second child with husband Cooke Maroney.  On Tuesday,…

Volunteers Work to Find Dismembered Remains of Indigenous Teen Emily Pike

In Arizona, a volunteer group is organizing a search to find the…

Iranian military leaders call for an urgent attack on a US base on Diego Garcia following Trump’s threat of airstrikes.

IRAN’S twisted generals have demanded an “immediate” strike on a US military…

Kyle Walker’s Harsh Comment to Joao Felix When Leaving AC Milan’s Locker Room

Kyle Walker was involved in a heated exchange with AC Milan teammate Joao…