Two female fishmongers in Awerial County of Lakes State cheated death after a giant crocodile attacked them while on a fishing expedition on Monday, local officials said.

The crocodile reportedly attacked and bit Ayen Malith, 30, in the hand and Mabor Majuec in the leg.

John Jool, the clinical officer in charge of Awerial Primary Healthcare Unit, told Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday that the crocodile attacked the two women while pulling a mosquito net they were using for fishing.

He said the injuries were minor, but the health facility could not handle the cases due to lack of medicine, hence the need to refer the patients to Bunagok health facility.

“All the animals that bite human beings have medicine that can cure them, so it is good for them to be treated early so that it does not result in serious harm, but the only problem now is there is no medicine for crocodile bites in this clinic,” he said.

For his part, the Boma Administrator for Mabor Jila, Ganoon Ayat Kon, cautioned residents against fishing in Gel River without safety measures.

“Many aquatic creatures like crocodiles and snakes live in water as their home. The current fishing method of using mosquito nets is unsafe. Previously, people used fishing nets, spears, and hooks to catch fish, which was safer than mosquito nets. I urge my people to prioritize safety over this activity,” he said.