SAR Team Evacuates the Body of a Teenager Gored by a Crocodile in Konsel

The joint SAR team while handing over the victim's body to the family at the Council, Southeast Sulawesi (5/1/2025). ANTARA/HO-Basarnas Kendari

KENDARI - A joint SAR team evacuated the body of a teenager who had previously disappeared after being attacked by a crocodile in the Awonio River, Kolono District, South Konawe Regency (Konsel), Southeast Sulawesi Province (Sultra).

Head of Basarnas Kendari Amiruddin said the body of the victim named Rafli (14) was found after a search of about an hour.

He said the victim was found by the joint SAR team in a dead state about 50 meters from the estimated last location when he was attacked by a buaya at 17.30 Wita.

"The victim was immediately evacuated to his parents' house and handed over to the family," said Amiruddin as reported by ANTARA, Monday, January 5.

With the discovery of the victim in a dead state, he said, the SAR operation, which was a human endangerment condition for one person who was bitten by a crocodile in the Awonio Village River, Kolono District, was declared complete and closed.

"All elements involved in the search are returned to their respective units," he said.

He explained that the victim was attacked by a crocodile when he and his friends returned from school and stopped to bathe, as well as wash his clothes in the Awonio Village River at 13.05 Wita.

"At that time, the victim was suddenly attacked by a crocodile, so his friend ran to seek help," he explained.

After the victim was attacked, said Amiruddin, the family and local community immediately carried out a search, but the victim was not found.