NewsBeat

Moment safari vehicle packed with Swiss tourists plunges into crocodile-infested river in Tanzania as shocked tourists watch on

Published

on

Advertisement

This is the moment a safari vehicle taking Swiss tourists to see the Great Migration in the Serengeti plunged into a crocodile-infested river. 

Footage captured from a separate Safari vehicle shows the Jeep racing along the bumpy terrain towards the Mara River. 

The vehicle suddenly sways to one side, causing a woman to fall out. 

As she gets on her feet, fellow tourists in a nearby Jeep can be heard gasping in shock, while one man is heard saying, ‘She fell out’, as she stands just metres away from crocodiles and wildebeest. 

Advertisement

The vehicle then continues heading towards the river, with more tourists seen tumbling out as the driver loses control of the vehicle. 

Onlookers can be heard urging the group of people to run onto their vehicle as their Jeep plunges off a cliff and nose-dives straight into the crocodile-infested water. 

The incident unfolded on Sunday afternoon in the Kogatende area of the Serengeti National Park. 

The Tanzania National Parks Authority confirmed in a statement that all passengers, who are Swiss nationals, and the driver were unharmed. 

Advertisement

Footage captured from a separate Safari vehicle shows the Jeep racing along the bumpy terrain towards the Mara River

The vehicle suddenly sways to one side, causing a woman to fall out. She is shown in this screen grab rushing towards a vehicle as she stands just metres away from wild animals 

More tourists fell out of the vehicle, as the Jeep lost control and plunged into the river 

Advertisement

According to the statement, four tourists were in the vehicle when it fell into the river, but were able to exit safely. 

 The statement added: ‘TANAPA takes this opportunity to remind all drivers, visitors and tour companies to strictly observe the laws, regulations, and established procedures governing the use of river crossings. 

‘All users are required to follow the instructions provided by crossing supervisors and to exercise the utmost caution to safeguard human life and property, while also minimising any disturbance to wildlife.’

According to eyewitnesses, the incident unfolded as the Safari ranger rushed to catch a glimpse of the wildebeest crossing the Mara River, local news outlet Tanzania Times reports. 

Advertisement

It is common for local tour drivers to compete with each other to reach animals first. 

The Great Migration in East Africa is one of nature’s most spectacular sights, 

This summer, millions of wildebeest have been pushing northward through Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park, braving crocodile-infested rivers and exhausting treks as the annual great migration reaches its most dramatic phase. 

Rather than a short, seasonal spectacle, the Great Migration functions as a closed, year-round mobile ecosystem. Each June and July, vast columns of wildebeest reach the Grumeti River region. 

Advertisement

After resting and grazing in the area, the herds continue their northward push toward the Mara River in July, keeping the migration in constant motion throughout the year. 

Advertisement

Source link

Advertisement

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Trending

Exit mobile version