The horror moment an elephant attacked a tourist van, forcing a terrified family to flee after the beast tore off the door when they were offered food

THIS is the terrifying moment a three-tonne elephant attacked tourists on safari in Sri Lanka.

The not-so-gentle giant pounced on the sightseeing minivan, rocking the vehicle and lifting two wheels off the ground.

The elephant then used his trunk to tear the door open as he poked his tubular snout into the van and looked for more fruit inside.

A Russian tourist reportedly offered the beast food before the frenzied attack.

Two horrified Suzuki family members fled the other side, fearing for their lives.

Fortunately, the elephant retreated as another tourist vehicle approached and honked its horn.

A warning shot was also fired.

Despite the damage to the borrowed Suzuki, they subsequently managed to drive away – without the door being ripped off.

Shocked Russian tourist Liliya Mikhailovskaya, 43, said she and her family “almost lost their lives”.

“We went to see an elephant, a wild elephant. We will never forget this trip to Sri Lanka,” she said.

“I was shooting a video a few minutes ago, not realizing that a sweet feeding moment would turn into such chaos.

“That’s another phobia added to the collection.

“Our son was running barefoot on the road and the car was left without a door.

“An elephant can trample you at any moment. We certainly did not expect such an ending!”

Miraculously, no one was hurt.

“We don’t want to look at elephants anymore! Thank you, Lord, we’re alive!”

Terrified villagers in eastern India slept on rooftops and in trees last week after a deadly rogue elephant continued to roam free after killing at least 22 people.

Four children are among the dead, including an eight-month-old baby, as horror footage shows locals running for their lives as the stomping beasts rush towards them.

Villagers have abandoned makeshift homes and seek refuge on flat roofs or high up in trees after dark.

A young male elephant – identifiable by a single tusk – remains at large in West Singhbhum district, Jharkhand, roughly 730 miles east of New Delhi, sparking mass fear in dozens of villages.

The animal is believed to be in the rut – a mating phase characterized by increased testosterone, aggression and sexual desire.

Officials say the condition can last up to 20 days.

Indian authorities launched a massive search, deploying more than 100 forest personnel.

The task involves at least 80 officers trying to track down and tranquilize the elephant in front of him. strikes again.

Aditya Narayan, divisional forest officer for Chaibasa district, said the animal attacked indiscriminately.

The officer said: “Anyone who came in front of her was trampled.