Fisherman dragged to death by crocodile in Sundarbans; body recovered after 8hrs search
Since Subrata was a registered fisherman who entered the forest with official permission, the Forest Department is currently taking steps to ensure his family receives government assistance and compensation
A fisherman, Subrata Mondal, 32, was killed after being attacked and dragged underwater by a crocodile in the Karamjal canal of the Sundarbans on yesterday afternoon (30 September).
His body was recovered nearly eight hours later, late that night, floating near the mouth of the Chhila canal by the Forest Department and his relatives.
The deceased was a resident of the Dhangmari area in Khulna's Dakop Upazila, who earned his livelihood by catching fish and crabs in the mangrove.
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According to the Forest Department, Subrata, along with four other fishermen — Sohel Biswas, Jewel Sardar, Joy Sarkar, and Swapan Biswas — had entered the forest with a pass from the Dhangmari Forest Office on yesterday morning.
The attack occurred at around 3:30pm as Subrata was swimming across the Karamjal canal after a day of crabbing. A crocodile suddenly attacked him from behind and pulled him underwater. His companions tried desperately to rescue him but failed, prompting them to alert forest officials and Subrata's family.
A member of the search team, Israfil Boyati, described a grim pursuit, "Before dusk, we saw the crocodile holding Subrata in its mouth. The crocodile was moving around various spots in the canal without consuming him. We continued the search."
The body was finally recovered around midnight from the Chhila canal mouth.
Hawlader Azad Kabir, officer-in-charge of the Karamjal Wildlife Breeding and Tourism Centre, confirmed that the floating body was recovered with the help of forest guards and a search party.
He added that since Subrata was a registered fisherman who entered the forest with official permission, the Forest Department is currently taking steps to ensure his family receives government assistance and compensation.
