Man missing after crocodile attack in Bardiya, search still ongoing

A young man who was attacked by a crocodile near Hattisar in Thakurbaba Municipality-9, Bardiya, has been missing since Tuesday evening. The attack happened in the Khairaha River, close to Bardiya National Park.

Despite efforts by the Nepali Army, Armed Police Force, Nepal Police, and local people, he had not been found as of Wednesday afternoon. Two elephants and a motorboat from the national park are being used in the search.

According to Sarojmani Paudel, the park’s information officer and senior assistant conservation officer, the search has been ongoing since Thursday morning.

The missing person has been identified as 19-year-old Rup Milan Tharu from Madhuwan Municipality-1, Kailashi. He was swimming in the Khairaha River a branch of the Karnali River when the crocodile attacked him.

Three young men had gone swimming in the river around 5 PM on Tuesday. Two managed to get out safely, but Rup went missing after the attack.

The national park officials said strong water currents have made the search and rescue work more difficult.