The British High Commission in Kenya has confirmed that a fire started “during a UK led exercise in Loldaiga Conservancy”, which is near a base hosting British troops.
“Reports of dead elephants are being looked into as a matter of urgency by the British Army, Kenyan Authorities and our Loldaiga Conservancy partners,” a statement said.
It added that the army exercise which had been ongoing had been paused “with all personnel now working to fight the fire”.
At least five elephants have died in the blaze that started on Wednesday night, the UK’s Daily Mail newspaper reported.
The UK High Commission also said it was “extremely concerned” by a social media post by a British soldier.
The Daily Mail has printed a screengrab of the post in which the unidentified soldier says “2 months in Kenya and we’ve only got 8 days left – been good, caused a 4.5K fire, killed an elephant and feel terrible about it, but hey ho when in Rome”.
BBC