Authorities in Indonesia released chilling footage of a giant crocodile parading a deceased swimmer’s body after mauling him in front of horrified onlookers on Thursday.
51-year-old Sadarwinata was reportedly paddling in the shallow water near Talise Beach in Central Sulawesi when the beast approached him.
Witnesses said they spotted the reptile as it headed towards the unsuspecting victim and cried out for the man who didn’t hear their screams.
The crocodile attacked Sadarwinata and snatched him before clamping its jaws around the man’s chest, his face down in the water.
People watched in horror as the predator swam through the sea while clutching the doomed man’s body.
The first reports of the incident emerged at around 7:15 a.m. Thursday. Rescuers located the body by 8 a.m. using a thermal drone.
“According to eyewitness statements, the victim was swimming too close to the crocodile that was already visible around the location,” said Police Commissioner Deny Abrahams.
“They shouted to warm him, but the victim was in the water and didn’t hear. The rescue efforts were carried out swiftly by the joint team.”
“One of the members of the Central Sulawesi Police Mobile Brigade Corps was even forced to shoot the crocodile to make it release the victim.”
The victim’s body was taken to the Bhyangkara Hospital for an autopsy.
