A minibus collided with an elephant in Uganda, Africa, killing three people and injuring four.
According to reports, the incident occurred at Murchison Falls National Park on Sunday evening when a Toyota Hiace minibus traveling from Arua town to the capital Kampala hit an elephant and subsequently lost control. BBC.
“Three occupants died on the spot, while four others, including the driver, were injured,” police said on Twitter, posting pictures of the vehicle that crashed on the side of the road.
Data shows that human-wildlife conflicts have increased in recent years, as growing populations encroach on protected wildlife areas.
In 2024, the Uganda Wildlife Authority estimated that about three animals were killed every day by speeding vehicles inside Murchison Falls National Park.
Authorities said the minibus was carrying seven Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) officials, including a journalist, three of whom were also killed.
Car accidents are common in Uganda, and incidents involving wildlife and humans are also increasing, as expanding communities encroach on protected wildlife areas.
The Uganda Police Force said the car was traveling from the town of Arua back to the capital, Kampala, when the collision occurred.
The injured were taken to a local hospital and later to Kampala for treatment, while authorities did not provide information on the condition of the elephant.
The UWA urged drivers to be wary of animals crossing the roads. “Tourists traveling through protected areas are strongly advised to drive with caution, as wild animals frequently cross the roads,” police said on X.
People traveling through animal areas should take precautionary measures and proper training to deal with such situations, as they are quite common in the African region.
