Palghar fisherman bit by 4-foot-long shark in Vaitarna

The victim`s leg needs amputation below knee. Pic/ Hanif Patel

A 34-year-old fisherman from a village in Palghar district in Maharashtra was bit by a 4-foot-long shark on Tuesday evening while he was out to catch fish in Vaitarna river. The victim Vikya Suresh Gowari belongs to a tribal community and lives with his family in Manor Dongar village.

Apparently, this is the first shark attack in Palghar district.

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The in-charge of Manor police station, Inspector Satish Shivarkar told mid-day, "The victim was out to catch fish on Tuesday; while out, he was bit by a four-foot-long shark. The incident happened around 6.30 pm on February 13."

He added, "After the incident, the fishermen rescued Gowari from the shark's clutches. The bite on his left leg is nearly four inches deep; the medical personnel have informed us that his injured leg needs to be amputated below the knee. The victim is presently admitted at Vinoba Bhave Hospital in Silvasa."

The shark, the cops said, died during rescue operations. The forest officials are conducting a probe into the matter and have taken the dead shark along with them, the inspector added.

The injured fisherman had fallen unconscious due to massive bleeding after the shark attack.

A local said, "Initially, Vikya was admitted to Astha Hospital in Manor; in the evening, a large crowd had gathered near Silent Hotel there after learning about the incident."

The shark attack created an atmosphere of fear among the local tribal youth.