Body of person dragged away by crocodile found

The body of a person who went missing after being dragged away by a crocodile while fishing in the Athiyadikkattu River in Oluvil, Ampara District, was found this morning (05).

This unfortunate incident was reported yesterday (04) evening, and police preliminary investigations have revealed that the individual, who had gone fishing with two others, was attacked by a crocodile while swimming to retrieve a boat that was moored on the other side of the Gal Oya River.

Although search operations conducted until around 10 PM last night had to be halted due to the rising water level of the river and the intense darkness of the night, the Akkaraipattu Police found the body today as a result of continuous operations carried out for the second consecutive day.

It is reported that local residents, the Navy, police officers, representatives from the Disaster Management Centre, as well as active contributions from the Sainthamaruthu and Sammanthurai Janasa Welfare teams were received for this two-day search operation.

The person who lost his life in the crocodile attack is a 37-year-old father of two, residing in Oluvil 01, Ashraf Nagar - 12 area.

After the body was recovered, at the request of the Akkaraipattu Police OIC, an inquest was conducted before the Inquirer into Sudden Deaths, Mr. A.H. Al-Jawahir. It was concluded that the death occurred due to a crocodile attack, and the body was handed over to the relatives for final rites.