Elderly Indonesian Man Suffers 39 Stitches After Komodo Dragon Attack

TheIndonesia.co - A 74-year-old man was attacked and severely injured by a Komodo dragon while resting in his hut on Rinca Island, part of the West Manggarai region in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Indonesia.

The attack took place on Thursday afternoon, around 2 p.m., as the victim, identified as Hamra, was resting in the middle of a plantation. According to his relative, Ira Santika, the Komodo dragon bit Hamra’s left foot after losing sight of a cat it was initially chasing.

Hamra’s wife, who witnessed the attack, screamed in panic, alerting nearby villagers. While the elderly man struggled to react, his wife was busy fending off monkeys from the plantation.

Hamra’s relatives quickly transported him to safety using a motorboat from the nearby Golo Mori village dock, and he was then taken to the Komodo Regional Public Hospital for emergency treatment. Hamra’s son, Suhardin, confirmed that his father required 39 stitches on his left foot to treat the injuries.

The attack serves as a stark reminder of the potential danger posed by the Komodo dragons, the world’s largest living lizards, which are native to several islands in the region. Hendrikus Rani Siga, head of the Komodo National Park management, advised local residents to remain vigilant, emphasizing that the large reptiles share the same areas as the people. [Antara]