Boy, 14, killed after falling into canal full of crocodiles on family Mexico trip
A 14-year-old boy has died after being attacked by crocodiles after falling into a canal that was secretly teeming with the predators.
Andres Alejandro Santana Hernandez was mauled to death by the vicious reptiles after taking a walk with his family in the waterway in Lazaro Cardenas on Mexico's Pacific Coast. Andres was walking along the path on July 18 when he fell into the canal, and before his parents could reach him to pull him back to safety, the crocodiles leapt in and attacked. The crocodiles dragged him into the swamp and began tearing into his body. The rivers and canals in the area are a hotbed for crocodiles, the creatures being responsible for dozens of deaths in the area each year.
Local police divers have begun a search in the area to find any of his remains, but it is uncertain if they have managed to recover his body. However, they have warned against anyone from visiting the area.
They have also issued safety advice warning visitors and walkers to stay far away from the canals' banks due to the "unpredictable" nature of the animals, according to The Sun. Andres was a local altar boy as well as a part of the local Cortazar Fire Department's marching band.
After news of his death broke, the Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Church paid tribute to the teenager. In a statement the church said: "With deep sorrow, but with our hope placed in our Lord Jesus Christ, who has Risen and is the Lord of life, I earnestly ask you to join in prayer for the eternal rest of Andres Alejandro Santana Hernandez, altar server of the main parish, who has been called to the house of the Eternal Father."
It is believed Andres was attacked by a Morelet's Crocodile, also known as the Mexican or Belize Crocodile, which usually grows up to three metres in length and can weigh around 400lbs. The species is known for its attacks as they are highly opportunistic predators, and will prey on practically anything they can overpower that comes into their territory.
When they are young, they are known to prey on insects and fish, but once grown, they have been recorded taking down cattle, tapirs and even a jaguar. Morelets have been known to attack humans and have been recorded as the cause of 12 human deaths.
It is also worth noting that on many of these occasions, the crocodiles were attacking in a predatory manner, attacking humans unprovoked. The crocodiles are rampant across parts of Mexico, with an estimated 79,000 to 100,000 in the county alone, with the crocs also calling parts of Belize and Guatemala their home.
Crocodiles in general are responsible for a large number of attacks on humans, with around 1,000 fatalities recorded around the world each year.
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Scottish Sun
15 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
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Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MIGRANT hotel locations will be handed to delivery firm bosses to stop illegal riders using their apps. The Home Office has struck a deal with Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats in a major win for The Sun. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Hot-spots for delivery riders working illegally will be flagged up for raids to immigration enforcement officers Credit: Ray Collins 3 A masked rider challenges an immigration enforcement officer about his rights Credit: Chris Eades 3 Officers speak to a migrant delivery rider We revealed asylum seekers were raking in up to £1,000 a week within days of arriving in Britain. They are not legally allowed to work but have used shared accounts to dodge checks. Last night PM Sir Keir Starmer said: 'The Sun has rightly put the spotlight on migrants working illegally as food delivery riders. "And we're tackling the problem. 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Last month we revealed how more than 20 cops in body armour swooped on the Thistle City Barbican hotel in central London after our investigation revealed migrants living there were working illegally. Undercover delivery driver investigation But the migrants were allowed to return to their taxpayer-funded rooms after being questioned. Tory Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: 'It shouldn't take a Sun investigation to get the Government to finally take action. 'It is disgraceful that rampant illegal working has been taking place on an industrial scale at the very hotels Yvette Cooper is responsible for running. 'This is all a consequence of the Government's complete failure to control our borders. 'All illegal immigrants need to be removed immediately to their country of origin or another safe country. 'Then, the crossings would soon stop.' Labour is also planning to tighten the law, forcing gig economy firms to carry out full right-to-work checks on anyone using their platforms. And, from today, the Government is ramping up pressure on the criminals fuelling the migrant crisis. 'Plans in place to stop the gangs' By Sir Keir Starmer WE will stop at nothing to tackle illegal migration. So this week we have delivered a world first: a new sanctions regime to target the vile people-smuggling gangs. We will go after the gang leaders, those supplying boats and fake passports, and the moneymen. Their assets will be frozen. Their bank accounts will be closed. And they will be banned from the UK. We've already returned 35,000 people — way up on the year before. We're working with Germany to close a legal loophole there, allowing police to seize small boats being stored and transported in their country. By working with France, we have agreed to a totally unprecedented returns pilot. We're also taking a zero-tolerance approach to the illegal jobs which gangs promise. Under our nationwide crackdown, raids and arrests are already up 50 per cent. 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AI technology is set to be rolled out in 2026 which can accurately assess a person's age. Last year half of the 'children' were really adults. 'I'm not against people coming here for a better life. 'And obviously asylum seekers need to be somewhere. 'But if the hotel closed it would make the area a lot better. 'I'm sure the people who own the hotel are doing really well, funded by the Home Office while we pay our service charge and our taxes.' And a 27-year-old city finance worker said the problem had 'got a lot worse' since he moved in at the start of the year. He said: 'We went over there to try to get information on how long it would be a migrant hotel. 'We were pretty much kicked out straight away. 'They said they understand the problems but once the residents are on the street, they have no control.' The owner of a coffee shop said customers were staying away and his business had been broken into three times. He added: 'I pay £8,000 every three months in taxes and business rates. 'If the hotel closed down I am sure business would improve.'
