Boy, 12, dies in Sandakan croc attack

Rescuers wrapping up the body before it was sent to the hospital.

KOTA KINABALU: A 12-year-old boy has died after a crocodile attack in Sandakan district early Tuesday (May 23).

The boy was reported to have been attacked at around 8am at Sumangat Payau island but the circumstances of the incident were still undisclosed.

Sandakan Fire Station chief Severinus Sainkui said the victim was searching for seafood at sea and he was swimming back towards his speedboat when the crocodile attacked him.

Villagers nearby saw the incident.

Sabah Fire and Rescue Department assistant operations director Hamsa Isnurdini said they received a distress call at around 8.25am and a team was sent out in response.

“An integrated operation with other enforcement officials was conducted to search for the boy,” he said in a statement.

He said the victim’s body was found at 10.38am about a nautical mile or less than 2km from where he was last seen.

Hamsa said marine police officials recovered the body.

Wildlife Department officials have also been informed, he added.