A 28-year-old tourist was killed after a crocodile attacked him on a popular beach in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and dragged him into the sea while he was reportedly taking photographs.

The victim was identified as Irving Mauricio, a Mexico City native who was visiting Puerto Vallarta with friends. The fatal attack happened on June 26 near the Marina Vallarta area, in front of the Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa.

Crocodile Suddenly Attacked Tourist
According to authorities, the incident occurred at around 6 p.m. while Mauricio was near the shoreline.

Witnesses reported that a large crocodile suddenly approached and grabbed the young man before pulling him into the water. People nearby attempted to respond, but the reptile disappeared into the sea with the victim.

Emergency crews quickly launched a search operation involving personnel on land and at sea.

The attack occurred in an area known for crocodile activity, prompting authorities to secure the surrounding beach while search teams looked for both the missing tourist and the animal.

Body Recovered After Overnight Search
After an overnight search, authorities recovered Mauricio’s body the following morning.

Reports said the body was found hundreds of meters offshore near the Boca Negra estuary. The crocodile involved in the incident was also captured by authorities during the operation.

Local reporting later identified the victim as Irving Mauricio, 28, from Mexico City. One local report said the crocodile measured approximately 3.7 meters, although authorities were investigating whether the captured reptile was definitively responsible for the attack.

Resort Says Safety Measures Were in Place
The attack happened directly in front of the Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa.

The resort told ABC News that guest and staff safety was its top priority and said warning signs, nighttime patrols and red flags indicating caution were in place. The resort also expressed sympathy to the victim and his loved ones.

The tragedy has renewed attention on interactions between people and crocodiles along Mexico’s Pacific coast, where expanding tourism and human activity have brought people increasingly close to the animals’ natural habitat.

Authorities and environmental officials have since emphasized the importance of keeping away from crocodiles and respecting warning areas.

Course: NY Post