Vadodara : A young man was killed in a crocodile attack in the Vishwamitri river near Bhimnath Bridge in Vadodara on Thursday morning. The crocodile dragged the man into deep water, and despite a rescue operation by the fire department, the man could not be saved.
According to reports, the incident occurred around 7 am when the victim, identified only as Manoj (age 35-40), was bathing in the river. An eyewitness alerted the Dandiya Bazar fire department, who immediately launched a rescue operation. However, due to the presence of multiple crocodiles in the river, the rescue effort proved difficult.
After a struggle of about an hour, the fire brigade team managed to recover Manoj's body. He was pronounced dead at Sayaji Hospital, where the body was sent for post-mortem.
Vadodara city is home to an estimated 250-300 crocodiles, inhabiting the Vishwamitri river and other water bodies like Ajwa Dam, Dev River, Dhadhar River, and various ponds. Crocodiles are protected animals under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. In case of death due to a crocodile attack, the government provides a compensation of Rs. 4 lakh to the victim's family.
This incident highlights the need for increased awareness and caution among residents regarding the presence of crocodiles in the city's water bodies. People are advised to avoid bathing or swimming in rivers or ponds known to be inhabited by crocodiles.
