Asia-Pacific

Boy killed by wild elephant in Vietnam

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-11-08 13:14

HANOI, Vietnam - A wild elephant has trampled a boy to death in southern Vietnam.

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A vice village chief says the 14-year-old and relatives were riding motorcycles to a jungle fishing spot in Dong Nai province Sunday when they were attacked. The boy suffered head and chest injuries and died on his way to a hospital.

Ngo Van Son said Monday that the boy's cousin and stepfather escaped unharmed.

The animal was part of a herd of seven wild elephants living in the area, some 75 miles (120 kilometers) northeast of Ho Chi Minh City. Son says the elephants rarely attack people but are known to dislike things made of metal and have destroyed several motorcycles.

Vietnam has about 70 to 100 wild elephants remaining.