14-year-old feared attacked by crocodile at Btg Paloh river

DARO (Dec 26): A 14-year-old boy is feared to have been attacked by a crocodile while fishing along the Batang Paloh river near Daro this evening.

The victim, identified as Agustine Fernando Nyalong, was reportedly casting his fishing line from the riverbank when the incident occurred.

Sibu Zone 4 Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) chief Andy Alie said his department received a call from the Daro police at 5.43pm, alerting them to a possible crocodile attack.

“Upon receiving the information, a team from the Daro Fire and Rescue (Bomba) Station was immediately dispatched to the location to assess the situation and initiate preliminary operations,” he said in a statement.

He added that early information suggested the teenager was attacked and grabbed from the riverbank, but search and rescue efforts were hampered by poor mobile coverage in the remote location.

“As of 7pm, no further updates could be obtained as the incident site has no mobile phone coverage, making communication and coordination difficult,” he added.

The initial response team consisted of three firefighters led by Senior Bomba Officer II Huzainizam Najar.

Further search and rescue operations will be coordinated with relevant agencies once conditions allow and more information becomes available, Andy said.