The body of a seven-year-old girl, who was dragged away by a crocodile from the pond of the shrine of Hazrat Khan Jahan Ali in Bagerhat on Monday night, was recovered on Tuesday morning after an eight-hour-long rescue operation by the Fire Service and Civil Defence.
The girl was identified as Rabeya, the daughter of a woman with a mental health condition. The mother and daughter had reportedly been staying in the shrine area for the past three days.
The chief caretaker (khadem) of the shrine, Fakir Tarikul Islam, said the child’s body was recovered early in the morning and kept at the Mohila ghat area.
He added that burial and subsequent procedures would be decided in consultation with the district administration and police.
Bagerhat Deputy Commissioner Golam Md Baten said necessary measures would be taken to ensure the safety of visitors at the shrine.
Bagerhat-2 lawmaker Shaikh Monzurul Haque Rahad said public safety must be prioritised, adding that he had discussed the matter with the local administration for appropriate action.
According to local sources, the child had gone to the Mohila ghat of the pond with her mother at night when a crocodile attacked and dragged her underwater shortly after she entered the water.
Earlier on April 8, a crocodile in the pond attacked and dragged away an injured dog that had fallen into the water after being chased by locals. The animal's carcass later resurfaced and was buried nearby.
