Missing elderly man found dead inside crocodile's stomach

TAWAU - A missing elderly man, Addi Bangsa, aged 60, was tragically discovered dead inside a crocodile's stomach, today.

The four-day search and rescue operation came to a grim conclusion when the Sabah Wildlife Department (JHL) managed to cut open the reptile's belly, revealing the victim's remains.

Tawau Fire and Rescue Station chief Jemishin Ujin confirmed that the family members of the deceased were present when the crocodile's stomach was opened at around 9am.

Examination results show that all body parts were found inside the animal's gut, confirming the victim's identity.

"On the fourth day, our team were informed that the rescue team had found a male crocodile believed to have engulfed the victim and that the animal was shot at about 3am on Saturday.

"The stomach of the crocodile was then split open at around 9am as soon as the family members had arrived," he told Sinar.

The reptile, weigh about 800 kilograms and measuring over four meters in length. "The operations ended at 11 am after the victim's body was found in the animal's stomach," he added.