Six elephants die after falling into waterfall in Thailand

At least six wild elephants drowned after tumbling down a waterfall in the Thai national park as rescuers worked through the night to save two of the animals on the brink of the same fateful plunge. (File/AFP)

• The dead elephants included a three-year old calf, said park chief Kanchit Srinoppawan
• The waterfall has been closed temporarily following the incident

BANGKOK: Six wild elephants have died after falling into a waterfall at the Khao Yai National Park in Thailand.

Two others were saved in the incident on Saturday at the Haew Narok Waterfall in the northeastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima, officials said.

The dead elephants included a three-year old calf, said park chief Kanchit Srinoppawan. The waterfall has been closed temporarily following the incident.

“It was an accident. We have often seen this happening,” National Resources and Environment Minister Varawut Silpa-archa told Reuters.

There are around 300 wild elephants in the park, which covers more than 2,000 square km (772 square miles) of forest and grassland. It is home to various wild animals, including bears, elephants and gibbons, and is a popular destination for tourists.