Crocodile Drags 10-Year-Old Boy Into Water, Victim's Torso Found Days Later

A 10-year-old boy was mauled to death by a crocodile in the India when the child was drinking water from a river.

The incident occurred in the southern state of Karnataka last week, and the victim was identified as Mallikarjun R.

As schools were closed, Mallikarjun was herding cattle along with six other children Tuesday, and had gone near the river to drink some water after having lunch. At this time, a crocodile leaped out of the water and attacked the child. Mallikarjun was dragged into the water by the reptile.

The other children were shocked and raised an alarm, but the crocodile managed to escape. Police was alerted about the incident and a search operation was launched to find the boy. Two days after the incident, the boy's torso was found on the shore of the river. The police also registered a case in relation to the incident, media outlet the Times of India reported.

A person living nearby, identified as MD Rafi, said six crocodiles live in the part of the river where the attack happened. He added the children normally do not go near the river unless they need to drink water. Rafi said the water level in the river had recently reduced, making it easier for crocodiles to attack.

"If the schools were opened, this incident would never have happened. The parents of this kid is mourning the loss and parents of other children who were present are now asking the authorities to open school to save them," E Mounesh, another villager, told the Times of India.

In another tragic incident that took place in the western Indian state of Gujarat last month, a 15-year-old girl was attacked and killed by a crocodile. The teenager was washing dishes on a riverbank when the reptile jumped out of the water and attacked her.

"The reptile dragged the teenager deep in water. Her body was recovered hours later," Dushyant Vasavada, Chief Conservator of Forests of Junagadh Wildlife Circle told the Indian Express at the time.

Dheeraj Mittal, Deputy Conservator of Forests of Gir (West) said: "The girl was washing utensils on the riverbank when she was attacked by a crocodile. A woman, who was present on the spot, raised an alarm but the girl could not be saved."