A 14-year-old boy was killed by crocodiles after falling into a canal during a family outing in Lazaro Cardenas on Mexico’s Pacific coast on July 18.
Andres Alejandro Santana Hernandez was walking along a path with his family when he slipped into the waterway. Before his parents could reach him to pull him to safety, crocodiles attacked and dragged him into a nearby swamp.
Witnesses reported that the reptiles tore the teenager’s body to pieces during the attack. Police divers have begun searching the area to recover remains, though it remains uncertain whether they have successfully retrieved his body.
The victim served as an altar boy at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish and was a member of the Cortazar Fire Department’s marching band. Following news of his death, the church released a statement expressing its grief.
The church indicated that they were asking parishioners to “join in prayer for the eternal rest of Andres Alejandro Santana Hernandez.”
Local police and water safety officials have issued warnings advising visitors to stay away from the canal’s banks. They emphasized that the crocodiles in the area can be unpredictable and pose significant dangers to humans.
The attack was likely carried out by Morelet’s crocodiles, also known as Mexican or Belize crocodiles. These reptiles typically grow up to 10 feet in length and can weigh approximately 400 pounds. The species is known for its opportunistic predatory behavior and will attack virtually anything that enters its territory.
Morelet’s crocodiles are highly aggressive predators capable of overpowering large animals, including cattle, tapirs, and even jaguars. While younger specimens primarily feed on insects and fish, adult crocodiles pose substantial threats to larger prey.
This species has been linked to at least 12 human deaths, with many attacks occurring in a predatory manner where the crocodiles strike unprovoked. The reptiles are widespread throughout the region, with an estimated 79,000 to 100,000 crocodiles residing in Mexico alone.
The rivers and canals surrounding Lazaro Cardenas are known hotspots for crocodile activity, with the animals responsible for dozens of deaths in the area annually. Crocodiles worldwide are responsible for approximately 1,000 human fatalities each year.
Morelet’s crocodiles also inhabit parts of Belize and Guatemala, making them a regional concern for public safety. Their distribution across multiple countries in Central America contributes to the ongoing human-wildlife conflict in waterway areas.
The teenager’s death is currently under investigation by local authorities. Police have not released additional details about the circumstances surrounding the incident or potential safety measures being considered for the area.
This incident highlights the ongoing dangers posed by crocodile populations in Mexico’s coastal regions. The Pacific coast areas, where Lazaro Cardenas is located, have experienced multiple crocodile encounters in recent years.
