Bangkok, Thailand - Bathing with elephants is considered a tourist attraction in Thailand, but what seems so idyllic is actually dangerous – and has now cost a student her life.

A Spanish tourist was attacked and fatally injured by an elephant in Thailand on Friday.

The accident occurred at an elephant camp set up for tourists on the island of Koh Yao Yai in the south of the country, as reported by Thai and Spanish media citing the police.

For many, a close encounter with the pachyderms is a highlight of their trip.

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The animal attacked the 22-year-old student in front of her partner on Friday when the couple was washing and scrubbing the elephants in a body of water together with other holidaymakers.

According to the report, the pachyderm impaled Blanca O. with its tusk.

The newspaper El Mundo wrote, citing the owner, that the Koh Yao Elephant Care Centre had been temporarily closed following the tragic incident. The website was also out of service.

The tragic incident is "a stark reminder of the inherent cruelty and danger associated with keeping wild animals in captivity," wrote animal rights organization PETA in an X post.

"Elephants are highly intelligent, sensitive creatures that suffer tremendously in unnatural environments where they are forced to interact with humans, often resulting in unpredictable and dangerous behavior," said Jason Baker, vice president of international campaigns at PETA Asia.

Baker added that "genuine sanctuaries only offer observation tours and keep visitors at a reasonable distance from the elephants so as not to disturb the animals – or put visitors in danger."