A 15-year-old girl has died after being dragged into a river by a crocodile in Rajasthan, India, police confirmed on Tuesday. The victim, Shivani Keva, was collecting water from the Parvati river in Baran district on Monday afternoon when the reptile attacked her.
According to police officer Ramesh Chand, the girl was filling pots with water when the crocodile pulled her into the river. Villagers working in nearby fields witnessed the attack and attempted to rescue her using boats, but their efforts failed.
Police and rescue teams launched a search operation, which was called off late at night. The following morning, villagers found the teenager's remains floating on the river surface. Her body was retrieved and sent for post-mortem, which confirmed drowning as the cause of death, with deep wounds on her arms consistent with a crocodile's grip.
The crocodile species involved is likely a mugger crocodile, known as the world's third most dangerous crocodile species. Crocodile attacks are sporadic in Rajasthan, particularly in rivers where villagers depend on these sources for daily needs.
According to Crocattack Org, India recorded 768 crocodile attacks from 2015 to 2024, 317 of which were fatal. However, experts note that official data may be underreported, especially in remote areas.
