Key Point Summary – Crocodile Attack in Indonesia

• 15-year-old Muhammad Akbar killed while fishing
• Crocodile attacked as he washed his feet
• Friends tried to save him but failed
• Horrific footage shows reptile dragging body
• Rescue crews retrieved remains from river
• Similar attack killed elderly man days earlier
• Crocodile invasions blamed on habitat loss

River Turns Deadly for Schoolboy

A peaceful fishing trip ended in horror on Tuesday when 15-year-old Muhammad Nur Akbar was mauled to death by a crocodile in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. The teenager had been spending time with his classmates by the Santan Ulu River when the attack unfolded in broad daylight.

Muhammad had wandered to the water’s edge to wash his feet, despite warnings from his friends about the dangers lurking below. What happened next was pure nightmare.

In an instant, a crocodile exploded from the murky brown river and clamped down on Muhammad’s thigh with terrifying force.

Desperate Friends Tried to Save Him

Witnesses say the boy screamed as the reptile dragged him toward the current. Several friends ran over, grabbing his shirt in a frantic attempt to pull him free. But the croc was too strong.

Despite their courage, the teens were overpowered. The beast slipped away with Muhammad’s limp body still clenched between its jaws. His friends could only watch in shock and disbelief.

Authorities were called immediately. Local rescue crews arrived within minutes and began scouring the area. What they found was even more horrifying.

Footage Shows Crocodile With Victim’s Body

Grisly video captured the moment the crocodile was spotted upstream, its massive jaws still wrapped around the boy’s body. The lifeless teen floated motionless as the reptile glided along the river’s edge.

Emergency personnel quickly devised a plan to recover the remains. The animal was shot in an effort to loosen its grip.

According to fire and rescue head Fida Hurasani, the body was retrieved at 11:50 p.m. local time. The boy had suffered massive wounds to his leg and thigh. His corpse was turned over to family members shortly after.

Locals Mourn the Loss of Young Muhammad

Muhammad’s death has left his village in mourning. A bright student and popular among his peers, his sudden death has shattered the community.

“This should have never happened,” said a grieving neighbor. “He was just a kid. He didn’t deserve this.”

Village head Heri Budianto revealed that the last fatal crocodile attack in the area occurred in 2015. But now, fears are growing that crocodile attacks are becoming more frequent—and more aggressive.

Crocodiles Pushed Closer to Humans

Experts say Indonesia’s exploding human development is forcing wildlife into deadly proximity with people. Overfishing has depleted natural food sources for crocodiles, while tin mining and farming have swallowed up their natural habitats.

As a result, crocodiles are moving inland. Some now dwell within sight of homes and schools.

“There’s simply not enough space left for them,” said a wildlife conservationist. “They are desperate and dangerous.”

The Indonesian archipelago is home to 14 species of crocodile. Among them, the estuarine crocodile is especially feared—known for its size, speed, and aggressiveness.

Days Earlier, Another Crocodile Killed Grandfather

Shockingly, Muhammad’s death isn’t an isolated incident.

Just days earlier, a similar tragedy unfolded along the Semaka River in southern Indonesia. An 80-year-old man named Wasim was bathing near his home in Tanggamus Regency when a crocodile lunged and dragged him underwater.

Villagers soon found Wasim’s clothing on the riverbank. They gathered to search for him, only to spot the giant reptile swimming away—his lifeless body clamped in its jaws.

Villagers Fight Back With Sticks

In dramatic footage, terrified onlookers chased the 10-foot croc down the riverbank. Some waded into the shallow water with sticks, striking the animal in a desperate attempt to free the victim.

Eventually, the crocodile let go. But Wasim was already dead.

According to Semaka Police Chief AKP Sutarto, the elderly man suffered brutal injuries to his back and shoulders. “It was a savage attack,” he said. “No one stood a chance.”

Wasim’s son-in-law, Samugi, later told reporters: “It was just a normal day for us. We didn’t expect it to end in tragedy.”

Authorities Issue Urgent Warning

Following the two back-to-back attacks, officials have banned fishing and bathing in affected rivers. Police are urging residents to stay away from waterways, especially during morning and evening hours when crocs tend to hunt.

“The risk is simply too high,” said one officer. “We’ve already lost too many lives.”

Meanwhile, local governments are exploring whether stronger safety measures—such as fencing, signage, and routine patrols—can help prevent more deaths.

Online Outrage and Calls for Action

The footage of both attacks has gone viral, igniting furious debates across Indonesia and beyond. Many blame government negligence and poor education about wildlife dangers.

“They’re letting kids swim in killer-infested rivers,” one commenter wrote. “Where is the warning? Where is the protection?”

Others slammed unregulated development for pushing animals into human zones. “We built over their homes. Now they’re attacking ours.”

Some conservationists called for a nationwide awareness campaign, while others demanded stricter penalties for illegal mining and deforestation.

Crocodile-Human Conflicts On The Rise

Indonesia’s booming population and rapid expansion into wildlands are colliding with the natural world. Experts fear that unless major changes are made, more people will die.

“They’re not monsters,” one biologist explained. “They’re wild animals trying to survive. But we are giving them fewer and fewer options.”

Until a solution is found, parents are keeping their children away from rivers. And villages across the country are holding funerals for loved ones snatched by creatures older than time itself.

Muhammad’s friends still gather by the river—but now only to pray.