Man killed in crocodile attack at Puerto Vallarta Beach
Authorities said the 28-year-old was attacked and dragged into the water Friday evening before his body was recovered Saturday morning.
A resident in Howard Springs, Australia, was surprised to find a baby crocodile swimming in a backyard pool as rain moved through the area.
A young man was killed in a crocodile attack on a beach in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, on Friday evening, according to authorities.
The 28-year-old man was in front of the Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort and Spa on the beach when he was attacked by the reptile and dragged out to sea around 6 p.m., reported ABC News. The victim was later identified as Mexico City resident Irving Mauricio by the local attorney general.
A crocodile on the fifth hole during the third round of the Mexico Open at VidantaWorld 2025 at Vidanta Vallarta on Feb. 22, 2025 in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)
According to a statement from the Government of Jalisco, the victim’s body was found Saturday morning by members of the Mexican Navy. The American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) was captured near the site of the incident.
“This is a highly regrettable and unusual and isolated event, the attention to which required the immediate and coordinated action of authorities from all three levels of government,” the Government of Jalisco said.
Mexico is not the only place that has recently seen fatal reptile attacks. Across central Florida, multiple people were attacked by alligators last week, the most recent incident killing a 31-year-old woman.
View of the boardwalk in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco state, Mexico on Nov. 6, 2017. (Photo credit: DANIEL SLIM/AFP via Getty Images)
According to authorities, crocodiles are part of the coastal ecosystems in Puerto Vallarta, and they are closely monitored. Although human-crocodile encounters are rare, the government has reinforced surveillance in areas where incidents may occur.
Visitors of Puerto Vallarta are urged to avoid entering the water where crocodiles may be present, especially at night, and report any sightings to the authorities.
The Marriott said in a statement to AccuWeather the safety and security of guests is the resort's "top priority," noting that the staff is trained to respond to all events.
"At the Marriott Puerto Vallarta we have appropriate signage, as well as night patrolling and red flags to indicate caution in the area and all were and are properly in place," the resort said in a statement.
"We extend our thoughts to the individual and their loved ones during this difficult time and are providing appropriate support in line with our policies."
Information for this story was gathered using Google Translate.
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