A woman was found dead after she was attacked and dragged away by a crocodile in India’s Kharasrota River last Monday. The victim, 57-year-old Soudamini Mahala, had reportedly gone to bathe in the river when the reptile launched its deadly attack on October 6, according to news reports.
Mahala had gone to the river for her daily chores when the crocodile suddenly surfaced and seized her. There were several villages by the river, some of which tried to help the woman. However, the villagers could not rescue Mahala despite chasing the animal. One of the residents filmed part of the attack, which ended when Mahala vanished in the water.
According to a Binjharpur police officer, the animal dragged Mahala into the strong current before disappearing beneath the water. Witness Naba Kishore Mahala also told a local news outlet that the residents sprang into action as soon as the attack began, but the crocodile could not be stopped.
A video circulating online reportedly captured part of the horrifying event, showing the crocodile moving through the river with its jaws locked around the woman’s body.
Search teams were formed and the operation continued late into the day, with forest officials and local authorities joining the villagers in combing the river. The next morning, their fears were confirmed when Mahala’s half-eaten remains were recovered from the water.
Forest department official Santosh Kumar Pati told reporters that Mahala is survived by her husband and two sons. After his body was recovered, it was transported to a government hospital in Jajpur, where an autopsy was scheduled. Additionally, officials from the forest department have promised to provide compensation to the grieving family.
The incident has renewed concern among residents who live near the Kharasrota River, an area that runs close to the Bhitarkanika National Park, a region known for its crocodile population. Worldwide, crocodiles are responsible for around 1,000 deaths each year, according to BBC Wildlife Magazine.
