Bitten by monkey at Taj Mahal, taken to hospital by e-rickshaw: South Korean tourist’s ordeal | Watch

South Korean Tourist Bitten by Monkey at Taj Mahal: E-Rickshaw Ride to Hospital

Theindiapostdaily.com – A South Korean tourist was injured after being bitten by a monkey at Taj Mahal on Sunday, sparking concerns about both animal encounters and medical response times at the iconic monument. The incident occurred near the Eastern Gate when 36-year-old Kim Mihye was waiting for her husband to collect complimentary items for foreign visitors. According to reports, an ambulance failed to arrive for nearly an hour despite being called immediately, forcing officials to transport the injured woman to a private hospital using an e-rickshaw.

Incident Details and Immediate Response

Kim Mihye and her husband had arrived at the Taj Mahal after booking their tickets online, Moneycontrol reported. The couple reached the monument’s Eastern Gate specifically to collect the complimentary shoe covers and bottled water provided to foreign visitors holding special entry tickets. While her husband was gathering these items, Kim was waiting outside when a monkey allegedly attacked and bit her on the elbow, causing significant bleeding.

CISF personnel deployed at the entrance responded immediately to the situation and called for medical assistance. The injured tourist received first aid at the Taj Mahal’s primary health centre while waiting for the ambulance to arrive. Videos of the incident subsequently surfaced on social media platforms, showing the distressed tourist clutching her bleeding arm as local residents helped escort her to a nearby dispensary for treatment.

Medical Transport Delay and Official Response

According to officials, the ambulance did not reach the site for nearly an hour despite being informed about the emergency, the publication reported. With medical transport delayed, officials arranged a battery-operated vehicle, commonly known as an e-rickshaw, to take Kim Mihye to a nearby private hospital for further treatment. An Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) official confirmed there had been a delay in the ambulance reaching the monument.

“There was a delay in the ambulance reaching the spot after being called. A letter has been written to the Chief Medical Officer in this regard,” the official said.

Senior Conservation Assistant Qalandar stated that the ASI team reached the location immediately after receiving information about the incident. According to him, the health department’s ambulance was contacted without delay, but the driver allegedly failed to reach the Taj Mahal for nearly an hour. Qalandar said the delay was treated as a serious lapse and added that a report had been prepared against the ambulance driver and forwarded to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Agra, seeking appropriate action.

Monkey Menace at Taj Mahal Under Scrutiny

The incident has also renewed concerns over the growing presence of monkeys around the Taj Mahal complex. According to Qalandar, the ASI had written to the Agra Municipal Corporation around a month ago regarding the increasing number of monkeys and stray dogs within the UNESCO World Heritage Site. He said the civic body had been requested to capture and remove the animals to minimise the risk to visitors.

However, according to the ASI official, no effective action had been taken so far. The latest incident has once again brought the issue of stray animals near one of India’s most visited tourist attractions into focus, with authorities now examining both the reported ambulance delay and the recurring monkey menace around the Taj Mahal. This case of a tourist bitten by monkey at Taj Mahal highlights the need for improved coordination between multiple departments responsible for visitor safety and animal management at the historic site.