Crocodile eats Bangladesh man who sought its blessing

A crocodile killed and devoured a 25-year-old man in Bangladesh who waded into a pond next to a shrine hoping to be blessed by the animal, police said Thursday.

Inspector Humayun Kabir told AFP that Rubel Sheikh and his mother travelled 50 kilometres (30 miles) from their home to visit the Muslim Khan Jahan Ali shrine, where the attack happened.

Kabir said hundreds of people visit the shrine every day to offer hens and goats to the five crocodiles living in the pond. Part of the ritual also involves bathing in the water.

"He went into the pond hoping to be blessed when a crocodile attacked him and dragged him into the deep part of the pond," Kabir said.

"This is a very unusual incident. Normally, the crocodiles are very friendly and do not harm people."

Kabir said about 25 people dived into the pond following the attack on Wednesday, but could not find the man's body. It washed ashore on Thursday and had been largely eaten, he said.