Villagers in a remote area have been urged to stop collecting water from the river’s edge after six people were eaten by hungry crocodiles.
The man-eating crocs have launched fatal attacks on humans between January and March amid a wave of deadly attacks.
It is understood they had been collecting water when the reptiles launched from the river, dragging them under before eating them.
Now the government of Tanzania is stepping in to make the area safer, News.cn reported.
Salum Bong’o, chairperson of Kimaramisale village in Dutumi ward, said one of the victims had been his own father.
He told a press conference: “The six victims were attacked and eaten by the crocodiles between January 2022 and March 2022.”
In response to the deadly attacks villagers have urged the country’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism to destroy the creatures.
Instead the government is starting a project in the area which will mean villagers will no longer have to collect water from the Ruvu River.
Last year it was reported several people have been attacked by crocodiles when they canoe across the river to reach the livestock on the other side.
Previous government attempts to cull some of the deadly creatures, who have around 60 teeth in their jaws, have failed.
A local councillor said the permits were often given when the river is swollen, meaning several crocs are impossible to see.
Other suggestions to improve safety is to build a bridge over the river.
Earlier this month a man managed to survive being attacked by four crocodiles while he was fishing for his dinner in Kariba, Zimbabwe.
Alexander Chimedza was out looking for worms to use as bait in leafy ponds when he was set upon.
The four scaly predators used tall grass to obscure themselves as they approached the man.
He was grabbed on the hand first by one crocodile which threw the fisherman into the water, twisting him around in a disorientating 'death spiral'.
Alexander was then snatched on the other hand and spun around further in the water, he told the Herald.
Realising that if he resisted his arm would soon be broken, he allowed himself to be turned around by the reptile.
The frantic situation became somehow even more dire when two further crocodiles joined the chaos, one grabbing him by the thigh and the other the Achilles tendon, breaking it.
Just as everything appeared to be lost, the fight back began.
Alexander's friends began pelting stones from the side of the water, raining down large pieces of rock on the beast.
Alexander managed to grab onto a stick being offered from the bank and was pulled to safety.
He was then rushed to Kariba District Hospital where he was stabilised and then moved on to Mutenderi Hospital.
