Crocodile in Bagerhat’s Khan Jahan Ali shrine drags child into pond

Rescue operations and under way, overseen by local MP and deputy commissioner

An 8-year-old girl has been dragged away by a crocodile while bathing in a pond at the shrine of Sufi saint Hazrat Khan Jahan Ali in Bagerhat.

The incident took place around 8pm on Monday, confirmed Fakir Tarikul Islam, chief caretaker of the shrine.

“A crocodile hiding in the water attacked her and dragged her away,” he said.

The girl, identified with the single name Fatema, has no father.

She lives in the shrine with her mother, who is mentally unwell.

According to the shrine authorities, members of the Fire Service and local residents are continuing a rescue operation to find the child.

Following the incident, Bagerhat Sadar MP Sheikh Monjurul Haque Rahad and Deputy Commissioner Golam Mohammad Baten visited the scene and are overseeing the rescue efforts.

As of 10:30pm, the child had not been found.