InfoSAWIT, KETAPANG – A 44-year-old woman identified as A lost her life in a crocodile attack on Thursday morning, December 5, 2024, while working in a flood-soaked palm oil plantation owned by PT Berkat Nabati Sejahtera (BNS) in Air Hitam Besar Village, Kendawangan District, West Kalimantan.

The area was inundated with waist-high floodwaters, said Kendawangan Police Chief Iptu Bagus Tri Baskoro. “At the time of the incident, the plantation was flooded up to an adult’s waist,” he noted.

A and her colleague, R (38), were working when they spotted a crocodile nearby. While trying to flee, the crocodile attacked A, grabbing her left arm and dragging her into a nearby canal.

R attempted to rescue A by pulling her away from the crocodile’s grip but was unsuccessful due to the reptile’s powerful bite. “There was a struggle as the witness tried to save the victim,” Bagus added.

This tragic incident underscores the dangers faced by workers in flood-prone areas near wildlife habitats. Authorities are coordinating with the Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) to address the situation.

"We will collaborate with related agencies and the company to increase awareness and find solutions to prevent similar incidents in the future," Bagus concluded.

The event highlights the critical need for safety measures in workplaces near wildlife habitats, particularly during conditions that may facilitate encounters with dangerous animals. (T2)