Another croc attack in Sabah this week, latest in Lahad Datu

KOTA KINABALU: Another crocodile attack has taken place in Sabah, with the latest incident occurring in the east coast Lahad Datu district.

This comes some three days after a prior case in Beluran.

In the latest incident at Kampung Makuau in Tungku on Friday (May 12), the police were still unsure how many victims, believed to be fishermen, were involved.

Lahad Datu OCPD Asst Comm Dr Rohan Shah Ahmad said they were alerted of the incident by the public at 10.28pm, saying there was a crocodile attack at a beach in the village.

"According to eyewitness’ accounts, they heard screams from people asking for help coming from the beach," he said, in a statement here on Saturday (May 13).

"After flashing a torchlight at the source of the voice at the beach, the eyewitness saw a boat had overturned and a crocodile whipping its tail in the water.

"The search and rescue operation is underway involving district marine police, Fire and Rescue Department as well as the Wildlife Department," he added.

A Fire and Rescue Department spokesman said one of the missing fishermen was identified as Rusbin Asri, aged 40.

He said that it is believed that the fishermen were looking for fish near the seaside when the incident occurred.

On Thursday (May 11), the authorities found the torso of a man who was attacked by a crocodile in the east coast Beluran district, some 200km from here, two days earlier (May 9).

The torso of the 28-year-old victim, Rudi Amiruddin, was found some 1km from where he was last seen.

It was learnt that both the victim’s arms and legs were no longer attached when the body was recovered.