A one-year-old boy has died after being eaten by a crocodile.
The child, from Malaysia, sat in a canoe while his father fished off the coast of Lahad Datu in Sabah.
The attack took place on Thursday morning (June 19).
Witnesses say the crocodile snatched the boy from the canoe.
The father tried to pull his son free from the crocodile’s grip but could not save him.
He suffered injuries and was helped out of the water by fellow villagers.
Sumsoa Rashid, head of the Lahad Datu Fire and Rescue Agency, said:
“The father suffered serious head and body injuries. His son is still missing and search operations are ongoing. The man has been taken to the Lahad Datu Hospital for medical treatment.”
The father had been fishing by the water when his one-year-old son was attacked by a crocodile (Viral Press)
Sumsoa added that many locals rely on the river for food and income.
She warned residents to take extra care because the crocodile is likely still in the area.
“Many residents there rely on the river for their food and livelihood so they need to go into the water.
We have warned them of the extra dangers at the moment and to be especially careful because the crocodile is likely to be still in the area.”
The Royal Malaysian Police are reported to be searching for the baby’s body.
Crocodile attacks are uncommon but often fatal.
Back in 2022, Australian officials shot dead a crocodile after it attacked a woman.
The woman, who was 38, was believed to have been swimming at Butler Cove, Lake Argyle when the incident occurred.
Reporters described the animal as a ‘problem animal’, which led to it being ‘destroyed’.
Crocodiles are believed to be responsible for around 1,000 human deaths a year.
The Department of Biodiversity and Conservation explained the decision at the time:
“Both the behaviour of a crocodile approaching the boat and the events of the previous day is consistent with what staff would identify as a problem animal.
“In order to ensure public safety in the popular recreation and swimming area and with consideration to large community events such as the annual Lake Argyle swim taking place this weekend, staff destroyed the animal.”
More recently, a tourist in the Philippines was attacked at Kabug Mangrove Park and Wetlands zoo.
The visitor climbed a fence to view what he thought was a statue.
Instead he encountered a live crocodile and was attacked, but survived.