People living next to the Budong-Budong River in Indonesia have spoken of their horror experiences thanks to the jaws of crocodiles which attacked dozens of people last week
A woman who lives next to a river infested with crocodiles says she is terrified to leave her home, seven months after she was in the jaws of one of the vicious predators.
Munirpa, 48, lives on the Budong-Budong River in Indonesia and had been throwing her rubbish into a nearby creek when she was suddenly attacked. A 13-foot beast had almost had her entire body between its teeth, save for her head, and her desperate screams were heard by her husband. As she tried to punch the monster in its eye to let it go, her partner pulled at her leg until she was finally free.
After a month in hospital and two surgeries, she returned home. Today she is covered in scars and the memory of the horror incident means she can barely stand to leave her home.
She said: “I am so scared. I don’t want to go to the beach. Even to the back of the house, I don’t dare to go.
“I am traumatised. I asked my children not to go to the river, or to the backyard, or go fishing.
“It is enough that I’ve been bitten by a crocodile. I won’t let it happen to my children.”
Crocodiles are a legally protected species in Indonesia, meaning people are not allowed to hunt the beasts – even after an attack. As a result, with no natural predators, the reptiles’ numbers have boomed in the area and interactions with humans have increased.
People have called on the Government to reduce the numbers for their safety after 180 attacks in 2024 alone. Of those, 92 were fatalities.
The attacks have become more commonplace since 2013 when companies created new artificial waterways. They gave the crocs access to where people called home.
Another attack victim Suardi, was harvesting coconuts when they fell in the river. As he bent to get them back a crocodile hiding in the water grabbed him.
He said: “Yes, I am worried. But what else can we do?
“The important thing is that we are careful enough.”
Earlier this month it was reported Tarti Kolengsusu, 43, was gathering water spinach with her friends from the Air Biak River in Indonesia when the huge reptile latched onto her leg. As the crocodile dragged her beneath the water, the terrified villager screamed for help.
The local police chief said in a statement: “The victim and her three friends picked water spinach on the other side of the river. An hour later, they were crossing the water to go home when she suddenly shouted. She was screaming ‘help me, I’m in danger.'”