JAKARTA, Aug 17: A father of four was killed in a brutal crocodile attack in front of his family in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. The victim, identified as 53-year-old Arifuddin, was bathing in the Bulete River with relatives on Thursday evening, August 14, when the crocodile struck, according to ViralPress.

Witnesses said the reptile latched onto Arifuddin’s leg before dragging him beneath the water. Video footage shows villagers rushing into the river in a desperate attempt to save him, while horrified onlookers screamed from the shore. Emergency workers later discovered the crocodile still clutching Arifuddin’s lifeless body in shallow, muddy water, ViralPress reported.

The Associated Press previously noted a surge in crocodile attacks across Indonesia, with 179 incidents reported in 2024 — the highest number globally. Experts link the rise to the expansion of palm oil plantations, which create man-made waterways and allow crocodiles to move closer inland.