Crocodile Kills Russian Tourist In Indonesia

A Russian tourist has been reportedly by a crocodile in a
popular diving site in Eastern Indonesia, an official said
Saturday.
The body of Sergey Lykhvar was discovered on Tuesday in
Raja Ampat islands of West Papua, four days after he was
reported missing.
Local search and rescue head Prasetyo Budiarto said
Lykhvar was reported missing to the authorities last week,
one day after he left to snorkel around the remote Minyaifun
island.
Budiarto told AFP that rescuers spotted a large saltwater
crocodile trailing behind Lykhvar’s body when he was
discovered.

“We believe he was killed by a crocodile judging from the
missing body parts and the extent of his injuries,” he said.
The 37-year-old normally snorkelled with his friends and a
guide but decided go alone the morning before he was
reported missing, Budiarto said.

He added that the location where Lykhvar’s body was
retrieved was quite remote, and dangerous because of the
strong currents and sharp rocks.
The Russian tourist’s body was later taken to Sorong, about
a two-hour boat ride away from Raja Ampat. His was body
cremated as per his family’s request.
“We are still communicating with the Russian embassy, from
what I’ve heard his family would come to pick up his ashes
in Indonesia,” Budiarto said.

The huge Indonesian archipelago is home to a vast array of
exotic wildlife, including several species of crocodile.
Death by crocodiles is not uncommon in Indonesia but it is
rare for foreign tourists to be killed.