The decapitated body of a schoolboy was found washed up on a beach after being attacked by a crocodile in Malaysia.
Denis Rodi, 10, was abducted by a large saltwater crocodile while playing with friends in the shallow waters of Sinakut Beach in Lahad Datu town, Sabah, on October 13.
Police said her body was found around 9:26 a.m. today, about 600 meters from where she disappeared.
Denis’s right hand and head were said to be missing.
Lahad Datu district police chief Deputy Commissioner Dzulbaharin Ismail said: “Relatives and villagers made immediate search and rescue efforts but failed to find him.
Denis Rodi, 10, was caught by a large saltwater crocodile while playing with friends in the shallow waters of Sinakut beach.
An image of the place where his body was recovered today
Denis was attacked by a large saltwater crocodile (archive image)
“The boy’s stepfather then lodged a complaint at the Desa Kencana police station to seek help.”
According to wildlife officer Silvester Saimin, Denis’ family had come to the area to visit relatives.
He said: ‘Around 7am, the aunts took the children aged between five and 10 to bathe on the beach.
“The victim, who was in the middle of the group of children, was attacked by a crocodile and dragged into the water.”
Denis’ remains were taken to Lahad Datu hospital.
The horrific attack comes after Malaysian schoolgirl Cicilia Julan Intik, 6, was dragged by a crocodile while bathing in a river on Bintulu Island on September 18.
She was splashing around with her family nearby when the predator grabbed her and dragged her deeper into the water.
Denis’ right hand and head were said to be missing from his body.
An image of the place where the body of the 10-year-old boy was recovered
Police said her body was found around 9.26am today about 600 meters from where she disappeared.
Wildlife officials said they found what are believed to be the young man’s remains, including teeth and bones, inside a crocodile caught in the river on September 27.
Crocodile attacks in Malaysia, especially in the states of Sarawak and Sabah, mainly occur in rivers and coastal areas where saltwater crocodiles are prevalent.
These attacks usually involve fishermen, villagers or tourists near crocodile habitats.
Due to increasing human-wildlife conflict, the government has implemented measures such as awareness campaigns and occasional culls to control the crocodile population and reduce attacks.