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Australia's most dangerous animal: the saltwater crocodile
Photo: Ian Waldie/ Getty Images
After the attack of a crocodile on two bathing soldiers in Australia, the Ministry of Defense there is facing a lawsuit for lack of safety in the workplace. The ministry is accused of violating federal laws on employee health and safety, the occupational health and safety regulator, Comcare, said on Friday.
The two soldiers had been seriously injured by the two-and-a-half-meter-long saltwater crocodile. The attack occurred in August 2021 on the remote Cape York Peninsula in northeastern Australia. Previously, the two soldiers had received permission from their military superiors to fish in an inflatable boat. After anchoring the boat, they had jumped into the water.
"Almost immediately" after jumping into the water, the crocodile attacked the two men, Comcare said: "The crocodile dragged one of the soldiers under water and bit while the other fought the animal." The men were finally able to save themselves back into the boat. They were taken to a hospital in the city of Cairns, more than 750 kilometers away, for treatment.
Several protective regulations violated
Comcare accuses the Ministry of Defense of violating several occupational health and safety regulations, including regulations on safety training in crocodile areas, as well as on risk assessments and preventing workers from entering crocodile-infested waters without urgent reasons. The ministry faces a maximum fine of 1.5 million Australian dollars (about 900,000 euros).
sak/AFP