SRI AMAN, July 24: A 47-year-old man in Lingga is believed to be the latest victim of a crocodile attack while cleaning his fishing boat at Seduku river today.
Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) operations centre in a statement said a report of the incident was lodged at 10.17am.
A team of firefighters led by Sri Aman fire station chief William Baheng were deployed to the scene, located about 50km away.
It was understood that Kong Gindi and his friend Saji Thomas, 52, both from Rh Tuntun, Seduku Ili, left their longhouse towards the jetty about 50 meters away at 9.15am.
They planned to wash Kong’s boat just by the riverbank during the high tide.
According to Saji who was the witness of the incident, as they were washing Kong’s fishing boat at about 9.45am, a crocodile appeared and attacked Kong who was standing just five feet away from him. The crocodile was seen dragging Kong into the river.
Villagers were informed of the incident and they immediately launch a search for the victim.
At about 11.15am, villagers reportedly saw Kong’s body with a crocodile resting by the river bank about one kilometers downstream from where he was attacked.
When villagers tried to approach the crocodile, it dragged Kong’s body back into the river and both were not seen anymore after that.
It was also understood that Kong was wearing a blue shirt, black short and rubber boots.
At press time, search and rescue (SAR) operation is still on going.—DayakDaily
