A 12-year-old boy was attacked and dragged by a crocodile in a tragic incident witnessed by his uncle as they were washing up by a river in Baundi, Uttar Pradesh, India, on July 16. The harrowing moment was captured on video as the reptile emerged from the water and seized the child named Sunil while they were at the Ghaghara River after planting rice seedlings earlier that day.
The sudden attack occurred in the evening after Sunil and his uncle, Vijay Raj Singh, had been working together for hours and paused to clean themselves. Singh raised an alarm when the crocodile pulled the boy underwater, attempting to free him but in vain. Despite efforts from locals armed with bricks, stones, and sticks, the predator continued its assault.
After a prolonged struggle, the crocodile tried to escape with Sunil, dragging him deeper into the water before disappearing from view. A search ensued, with locals using bamboo poles to locate the boy’s body. Hours later, Sunil’s remains were recovered from the water, revealing severe injuries to his right leg and abdomen.
Sunil, an orphan cared for by his uncle after losing his parents, leaves behind siblings. Authorities have pledged compensation to the family following the tragedy. Forest officials are monitoring the area post-incident, although residents have historically utilized the Ghanghara River despite the presence of crocodiles.
The tragic event has sparked concern over safety in the region, prompting officials to take measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.