Tourist killed as elephant falls on her at Karnataka forest camp

Bengaluru/Madikeri: A woman tourist from Tamil Nadu died after a male captive elephant attacked another at the Dubare Elephant Camp in Karnataka's Kodagu Monday and she got trapped under the second jumbo as it fell while trying to evade the attack.

The victim, Jinsu, 33, was from Chennai. Her husband Joel, an engineer, and their five-year-old daughter Jersey escaped with minor injuries in the chaos that unfolded around 11.15am while visitors were bathing elephants in the Cauvery river at the camp.

Officials said 28-year-old tusker Kanjan suddenly turned aggressive and charged at another elephant, Marthanda. As tourists ran for safety, Jinsu got trapped between Marthanda's front legs. When Kanjan charged again, Marthanda tried to move away, lost balance and fell on her, causing severe head injuries. She died on the way to hospital.

Officials said neither elephant had directly attacked tourists. Deputy conservator of forests Abhishek announced compensation of Rs 20 lakh for Jinsu's family.