A crocodile reportedly dragged away a seven-year-old girl while she was bathing in the pond of Khan Jahan Ali (R) Mazar in Bagerhat on Monday night, triggering a rescue operation involving Fire Service personnel and local residents.

The incident took place at the Mohila Ghat of the pond at around 8:30pm. The victim, Fatema, is the daughter of a woman with mental illness. The mother and daughter lived at the shrine, said Fakir Tarikul Islam, chief khadem of the mazar.

"The child went down to bathe when a crocodile suddenly grabbed her leg and dragged her underwater within seconds," he said, adding that everyone was working together to find her.

According to witnesses, locals rushed to the spot after hearing the child's screams. However, she could not be found as of 10:30pm, and rescue efforts were continuing.

Upon receiving the news, Bagerhat-2 MP Sheikh Monjurul Haq Rahad, Bagerhat Deputy Commissioner Golam Md Baten, Bagerhat Superintendent of Police Hasan Mohammad Naser Rikabdar, and Additional Superintendent of Police (Admin and Finance) Md Mohidul Islam visited the spot.

Fire Service personnel and local residents were conducting a joint rescue operation to locate the missing child.