Monkey bite at Taj Mahal, taken to hospital by e-rickshaw: Ordeal of South Korean tourist | Follow

A South Korean tourist was bitten by a monkey near the Taj Mahal in Uttar Pradesh’s Agra on Sunday. The incident drew attention after an ambulance reportedly failed to reach the spot for nearly an hour despite being called immediately, prompting officials to take the injured visitor to a private hospital in an e-rickshaw.

The tourist, identified as 36-year-old Kim Mihye, suffered an injury to her arm near the Taj Mahal’s east gate. After first aid at the monument’s primary health center, she was taken to a nearby private hospital in a battery-powered vehicle, Money control reported.

Videos of the incident have since surfaced on social media, showing the injured tourist clutching her bleeding arm as locals escorted her to a nearby pharmacy for treatment.

A monkey attacked a tourist outside the east gate

According to officials, Kim Mihye and her husband arrived at the Taj Mahal after booking tickets online, Moneycontrol reported.

The couple arrived at the memorial’s east gate to collect the free shoe covers and bottled water provided to foreign visitors with special tickets.

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Officials said Kim was waiting outside while her husband collected things when the monkey allegedly attacked her and bit her elbow, causing significant bleeding.

Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel stationed at the entrance immediately responded and called an ambulance.

She was given first aid at Taj Mahal’s main medical center while she waited to be taken to hospital.

Tourist moved to hospital in E-Rickshaw

According to officials, an ambulance did not arrive at the scene for nearly an hour despite being notified of the emergency, the publication said.

Due to delays in medical transport, officials arranged for a battery-powered 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 that the ambulance reached the memorial late.

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“After being called to the spot, an ambulance arrived late. A letter was written to the chief medical officer in this regard,” the official said.

The ASI reports the delay to the Chief Medical Officer

Senior Conservation Assistant Qalandar said the ASI team reached the spot immediately after receiving information about the incident.

According to him, the Ministry of Health ambulance was contacted without delay, but the driver reportedly did not reach the Taj Mahal for almost an hour.

Qalandar said the delay was considered a serious misconduct.

He added that a report has been prepared against the ambulance driver and forwarded to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Agra, seeking appropriate action.

The monkey menace around the Taj Mahal is under the spotlight again

The incident also renewed concerns about the growing presence of monkeys around the Taj Mahal complex.

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According to Qalandar, the ASI had written to the Agra Municipal Corporation about a month ago regarding the increasing number of monkeys and stray dogs at the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

He said the civic body has been asked to trap and remove the animals to minimize the risk to visitors.

However, according to an ASI official, no effective action has been taken so far.

The latest incident has drawn renewed attention to the problem of stray animals near one of India’s most visited tourist attractions, with authorities now looking into both reported ambulance delays and a recurring monkey menace around the Taj Mahal.