Huge Crocodile Attacks Man Swimming In River; Victim's Body Not Found

A man swimming in a river in India was attacked and dragged deep into the water by a huge crocodile Thursday.

The incident took place in the southern state of Karnataka. According to local media reports, the man was swimming in the Kali river when the crocodile emerged out of the water and attacked him.

Locals saw the man being attacked and immediately informed the police and forest department officials, according to TV9 Kannada.

Authorities launched a search operation for the unidentified man. As of Thursday, the body of the victim was not found, Daiji World reported, citing IANS.

"We live in constant fear. The safety of children is also endangered," locals told the media, while adding that as of October, two people lost their lives in crocodile attacks.

Several other people had also been injured in crocodile attacks in the area.

Locals also said the number of crocodiles in Kali River has been increasing, raising concerns for those living near the bank of the river claim. However, they said the authorities have not responded to their concerns.

Residents of the area said the crocodiles come out of the river in search of food. They often enter homes to prey on livestock, especially chickens.

Locals urged forest officials to install iron mesh on the openings of drains attached to the river in order to prevent the movement of crocodiles.

Last month, a huge crocodile attacked and killed a 17-year-old girl in the eastern state of Odisha. The teenager was grazing goats at a riverside village when the incident took place. "We were grazing our goats when suddenly one of the flock entered the creek. As soon as Sila went near it to bring the goat back, a crocodile appeared from nowhere and dragged my sister into the water," the victim's sister said recalling the incident, according to New Indian Express.

After a search for two days, the mutilated body of the victim was found. "We always warn the riverside villagers not to venture into the rivers and creeks around Bhitarkanika as they are home to around 1,784 crocodiles. The State Forest and Wildlife department has also barricaded 75 river ghats around the park and its nearby areas," Manas Dash, range officer of the Bhitarkanika National Park, reportedly said.