An elephant attacked and killed a young Spanish student on the island of Yao Yai, near Bangkok.

According to reports published in international media, 22-year-old Blanca Garcia hails from the historic city of Bilbao in Spain, where she was a law and international relations student at the University of Navarra.

Blanca Garcia had arrived on the island of Yao Yai in Thailand with her boyfriend on a leisure trip. According to media reports, she was bathing an elephant at an animal sanctuary like other tourists when the elephant suddenly got angry and grabbed her by the trunk and mauled her.

The unconscious student was immediately taken to a nearby hospital where doctors confirmed her death.

According to media reports, there were about a dozen and a half tourists around, including Blanca’s boyfriend, but the elephant did not harm them.

Local authorities say that tourists can touch, play with and bathe elephants at this recreational area. Elephants are very peaceful and human-friendly animals and no incidents of provocation by elephants have been seen before.

After this sad incident, the Animal Sanctuary in Yao Yai has been temporarily closed and tourists have been instructed not to go near any elephants.

In addition to Thai authorities, the mayor of the late student’s hometown has also expressed sadness and regret over the incident.