Gonda: Crocodile Attacks Labourer at Ghaghara River in Uttar Pradesh; Dramatic Rescue Video Goes Viral

A construction labourer narrowly escaped death on Wednesday evening, June 24, after his co-workers used a hammer to fight off a crocodile that had clamped onto his leg and was attempting to drag him into the Ghaghara River in Uttar Pradesh's Gonda. The incident occurred at the Bhikharipur-Sakraur embankment near Sonauli Mohammadpur village, roughly 45 kilometres from the district headquarters. The victim suffered severe leg injuries but was successfully rescued and discharged from the hospital after receiving emergency medical treatment.

A Sudden Attack During Embankment Work

The attack took place late Wednesday evening within the jurisdiction of the Tarabganj police station. Approximately 50 labourers were deployed along the riverside, executing critical anti-erosion reinforcement work that involved the placement of large boulders and concrete "porcupine" structures. UP Shocker: Woman Climbs 120-Foot Mobile Tower With 5-Year-Old Child In Gonda, Demands to Live With Her Lover (Watch Video).

Crocodile Attacks Labourer in Gonda

गोंडा में घाघरा नदी किनारे काम कर रहे एक युवक पर मगरमच्छ ने हमला कर दिया। मगरमच्छ ने युवक का पैर अपने जबड़े में पकड़ लिया। करीब एक मिनट तक उसे नदी की ओर खींचने की कोशिश करता रहा। तभी साथ काम कर रहे लोग मौके पर पहुंचे।

एक साथी ने मगरमच्छ के सिर पर हथौड़े से वार किया, जिसके बाद… pic.twitter.com/utB4KNgUK2

— Shivani Sahu (@askshivanisahu) June 25, 2026

According to site workers, a 40-year-old labourer identified as Bhanu, alias Bholu, had stepped closer to the water's edge to position materials when a crocodile suddenly emerged from the river. The reptile clamped its jaws firmly onto his leg, immediately attempting to pull him back into the deep water channel.

Labourers Unite to Defeat the Predator

Startled by the ambush, Bhanu began shouting for help, which drew immediate intervention from his nearby colleagues. While several labourers grabbed Bhanu's arms and torso to establish a human anchor line against the crocodile's immense pull, a tug-of-war ensued for nearly a minute. Amidst the struggle, one of the construction workers grabbed a heavy work hammer from the site tools and struck the crocodile directly on its head. The blow successfully weakened the reptile’s grip, forcing it to release Bhanu’s leg and retreat completely into the Ghaghara River. A video capturing the swift rescue and the workers' coordinated efforts has since circulated widely online.

Crocodile Attack Caught on Camera in Gonda

Crocodile Attack Caught Live in UP, Worker Fights Back and Survives

Uttar Pradesh: A crocodile suddenly attacked a worker on the banks of the Ghaghara River in Gonda and even clamped him in its jaws

Refusing to give up, the worker displayed remarkable courage and fought back… pic.twitter.com/52xJwBmi0O

— Atulkrishan (@iAtulKrishan1) June 25, 2026

Severe Injuries and Hospital Discharge

Though his life was saved, the force of the crocodile's bite inflicted major trauma to Bhanu's lower limb, tearing away chunks of flesh. His colleagues rushed him to Gonda Medical College, where emergency surgical teams stabilised the wound and administered treatment. Following an extended observation period, hospital officials discharged Bhanu late Wednesday night. After his release, Bhanu said that he frequently visited the banks of the Ghaghara River for work and other daily routines in the past without an issue. He also recalled how rapidly the reptile ambushed him from the water line.

Rising Water Levels Trigger Local Anxiety

The close call has left an atmosphere of palpable fear among the embankment workforce, with many labourers expressing strong hesitation about returning to duties directly adjacent to the water. District Disaster Specialist Rajesh Kumar Srivastava commended the quick thinking and exceptional courage displayed by the labourers, noting that their collective action was the sole reason the incident did not end in a fatality. Srivastava explained that crocodile activity in the Ghaghara River rises significantly alongside seasonal increases in water levels, which frequently pushes the apex predators closer to populated banks. He urged all riverside communities and public works departments to exercise extreme vigilance. Crocodile Attack in Gonda: Man Dragged Into Saryu River by Crocodile During Mother-in-Law’s Funeral Rites in Uttar Pradesh.

The geographic pocket has seen a history of similar wildlife conflicts. On May 20, a 30-year-old visitor named Deepak was killed after being dragged into the same river network during a family funeral ritual nearby. Local authorities noted another labourer was similarly ambushed near Nishchit Purwa, just one kilometre from Wednesday's rescue site, underscoring the growing frequency of reptile encounters along the basin.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 25, 2026 11:30 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).