Crocodile killed a young girl at Wairaha river in West Are'are

A crocodile killed a 22-year-old girl from Paunanu’u village at the Wairaha River mouth in West Are’are during a fishing trip on 3 April 2026.

The deceased was sitting at the rear of the dugout canoe when the crocodile grabbed her and took her under water.

Supervising Provincial Police Commander (PPC), Malaita province, Superintendent Michael Ramosaea said the deceased was accompanied by two other females when the sad incident occurred.

PPC Ramosaea said the two females reported the matter to a nearby village, and they searched and recovered the body, but the young girl is dead with a wound on her shoulder.

Superintendent Ramosaea said police are working closely with the Wairaha River surrounding communities for a crocodile management plan to manage its threat level to the people in the communities.

Mr. Ramosaea appeals to the community leaders to warn the communities within Wairaha to take precautionary measures in protecting their communities.

“This is a sad incident in which a young life has been taken, and condolences to the family for the loss of their loved one,” said PPC Ramosaea.