Malaysian boy narrowly escapes crocodile attack over a week after infant killed by croc

A 7-year-old boy in Sabah, Malaysia, sustained multiple bite wounds on his left leg after narrowly escaping a crocodile attack on Thursday.

The victim, identified as Nazri, was rushed to a hospital where he is currently in stable condition, according to local reports.

District Police Chief ACP Rohan Shah Ahmad said the boy was reportedly fetching his pet chicken from outside his home at around 5:55 p.m. when he and a cousin spotted the crocodile. The cousin screamed and the victim ran to escape but the animal managed to grab him by the left leg as he tried to climb a bridge. The boy managed to free himself by kicking at the crocodile.

“The victim underwent a surgery and is still undergoing treatment but in stable condition,” Rohan was quoted by Daily Express as saying.

Nazri said he remains shocked by the incident, describing it as one that is difficult to forget.

According to the officer, residents must be aware of crocodiles’ presence near bodies of water in the area as there are currently a total of 28 nests in the district. The incident comes just over a week after a 1-year-old boy was attacked and killed by a crocodile off the coast of Lahad Datu.

The infant was reportedly in a canoe with his 45-year-old father when a crocodile snatched him and dragged him underwater. The father, identified as Moherat, suffered multiple bite wounds after trying to fight off the animal. He was later taken to the local hospital for treatment.

Viral videos of the incident emerged online, including a clip showing the crocodile resurfacing with the body of the boy in its jaws. Another video shows the father breaking down in tears following the attack.

“Despite the man’s (Moherat) best efforts, he ended up with numerous bite wounds and could not stop his son from being dragged underwater,” said Lahad Datu Fire and Rescue Agency Head Sumsoa Rashid.

As of Friday, search and rescue operations for the infant have been unsuccessful.

Silam assemblyman Dumi Pg Masdal noted that a total of 12 crocodile attacks have been reported in Lahad Datu between 2020 and 2022, eight of which resulted in deaths.

Sumsoa lamented that despite the dangers of the crocodile-infested waters, residents have no choice but to go into the water since many of them rely on the river for their food and livelihood.

“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,” he added.

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