Indonesia: Crocodile mauls tourist to death

A Russian tourist has been killed by a crocodile while visiting Indonesia. Sergey Lykhvar, 37, was reported missing last Friday while visiting the Raja Ampat islands of West Papua, where he had been planning to snorkel around the remote Minyaifun island.
Prasetyo Budiarto, head of search and rescue in the region, told reporters that rescuers had 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,” Budiarto said.

  Lykhvar’s body was found in a remote location, he added, where there were strong currents and sharp rocks. His remains were transported by boat from Raja Ampat to Sorong. His body has been cremated, at 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. Saltwater crocodile attacks in Indonesia and Australia are not uncommon, but tourists are rarely killed by the species, which can grow to more than five metres in length.
Credit: QLD National Parks