In a tragic incident, a woman died as a crocodile dragged her into the Birupa river in the Bari area of Jajpur district on Wednesday.
The deceased was identified as Jyotsna Jena of Palatpur village under Bari block.
According to reports, the woman had gone to the river in the morning to wash clothes, during which the reptile dragged her into the water body. She tried to escape from the jaws of the crocodile but in vain.
On being informed, Fire Service personnel rushed to the spot to rescue the victim. However, the animal had eaten a major portion of the woman’s body by then.
Locals, who had gathered at the place, stood helpless while witnessing the heart-wrenching scene.
The residents of the locality depend on the river due to absence of other sources of water for them in the area, reports said.