Quipungo — Four people died on Wednesday, crushed by a herd of 14 elephants in the commune of Tchinconco, municipality of Quipungo, Huíla province, Angola's south region.

The incident took place in the towns of Tchihende and Talamandjamba, 49 kilometers east of the municipal headquarters, claiming the lives of a woman and her baby daughter, as well as two men aged 19 and 33.

The animals also destroyed some homes and farms, the damage of which has yet to be assessed, according to the deputy administrator of Quipungo, Filipe Kayangu.

Filipe Kayangu considered that the places where the incident occurred are located on the border with the Bicuar National Park.

He said that the animals still remain at the site, which forced the National Police to redouble efforts to control the situation and avoid further human, material and environmental damage.

He took the opportunity to warn the population not to travel around the perimeter where the herd is until the animals are removed.

The source recalled that last April elephants caused two fatalities in the town of Kamacupa, Hombo commune.

With a territorial area of 5, 675 square kilometers, the municipality of Quipungo has an estimated population of 225,196 inhabitants, and is a potential corn producer.