Woman, 78, believed killed in crocodile attack while collecting river snails in Batu Niah

KUCHING, Aug 11 — A 78-year-old woman named Sambai Anggah was reportedly killed in a crocodile attack while she and her daughter were searching for river snails near Jambatan Suai in Batu Niah, Miri on Tuesday. The incident occurred when the pair was in a boat in the tributary connected to Sungai Suai. The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) reported that Sambai's daughter, who was in the river approximately one metre away, witnessed the crocodile dragging her mother away from the boat.

The crocodile subsequently carried Sambai around 10 metres away from the boat before releasing her, according to Bomba's statement. Villagers eventually located the victim's body floating in the river and recovered it, taking it to a nearby wharf. Bomba received the emergency call at 11:26 am and dispatched five personnel from the Batu Niah fire station to the scene.

The rescue team arrived at 11:58 am and concluded their operation by 1:45 pm after declaring the area safe and under control.