Two women tourists in Zambia were killed by an elephant overnight while on a walking safari in a national park, police said.

In a statement provided to 1News by a local reporter, Eastern Province Police Commissioner Robertson Mweemba said the victims — 67-year-old Alison Jean Taylor from New Zealand and 68-year-old Easton Janet Taylor from the UK — were attacked by a female elephant that was with a calf.

He said the attack happened shortly after 6am (local time) Thursday when the two women based at Big Lagoon Bush Camp, in South luangwa National Park were taking a safari walk to another part of the camp.

Safari guides who were with the group attempted to stop the elephant from charging at the women by firing shots at it, Mweemba said. The elephant was hit and wounded by the gunshots.

A Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson confirmed the New Zealand High Commission in Pretoria was providing consular assistance “following this tragic event”.

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“Two female tourists while taking a safari walk to a crossing point at Luangwa river spotted an elephant with a calf at a distance and diverted about 50m away, but within few minutes after diverting a tea bearer who is usually behind saw the elephant charging at them,” Mweemba said.

“He shouted ‘elephants’. As they turned to see, they saw it charging at a high speed and due to the fact that female Alison Jean Taylor, 67, of New Zealand had a leg problem, she was caught first.

“While the Wildlife Police Officer fired warning shots, female Easton Janet Taylor, 68, a British National was caught as well.”

The tourists had stayed for four days in the camp and they were going to another camp named Takwela Camp.

A local posted a tribute to the pair. “Near Big Lagoon Bush Camp, at sunrise, a walk meant to explore turned sorrowful when a nursing elephant, accompanied by her calf, charged out of instinct.

“Despite the presence of trained guides, the moment unfolded too swiftly.

“Alison and Easton had spent four peaceful days immersed in nature’s embrace. Their journey was meant to continue — but instead, we remember them for their courage, their curiosity, and their love for life’s wild places.”

The pair have been taken to Mambwe District Hospital for mortuary services, awaiting further details.

According to the South Luangwa National Park website, the region’s “concentration of animals is some of the most dense in all of Africa”.

“You don’t have to travel to the most remote areas of the park to see some amazing animal sights,” the site said. “In fact, don’t be surprised if a handful of elephants wander in and out of your camp, as they have a habit of making themselves welcome.”

South Luangwa National Park, in eastern Zambia, was initially founded as the Luangwa Game Park in 1904, and converted to one of three game reserves in 1938. The park covered an area of about 9050sq kilometres of the Luangwa Valley.

— additional reporting by Associated Press