A Canadian tourist was fatally shot during a group picnic at South Africa’s famed Kruger National Park, with authorities investigating the incident as a suspected accidental discharge of a firearm.
The victim, a 69-year-old Canadian man, was attending an evening outdoor barbecue, known locally as a “bush braai,” inside the wildlife reserve on Wednesday when the tragedy occurred.
According to South African police, the man approached a private tour guide who was holding a rifle and asked whether the firearm was real. Authorities allege that while the guide was demonstrating the weapon, it unexpectedly discharged, striking the tourist in the upper body.
Emergency responders were unable to save the man, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
In a statement, South African National Parks expressed condolences to the victim’s family and described the shooting as an apparent accident involving a private guide. The agency said preliminary findings indicate the firearm was unintentionally discharged during the gathering.
The incident took place within Kruger National Park, one of Africa’s largest and most visited wildlife reserves.
Police have launched an investigation and are examining potential charges, including culpable homicide and reckless handling of a firearm. Authorities have not yet announced any arrests.
Further inquiries are ongoing as investigators work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting.
