A Protestant pastor died after being attacked by a crocodile during a baptism in a lake in southern Ethiopia.

The BBC reports that Docho Eshete and about 80 members of his congregation went to Abaya Lake in the city of Arba Minch last Sunday for a baptism.

“He baptized the first person and went on to the second when suddenly a crocodile jumped on him,” an Arba Minch resident told the BBC.

A police officer, Eiwnetu Kano, said fishermen and residents of the city tried to save the pastor, but all their efforts were unsuccessful.

He died after being bitten on the legs, back and hands. In the end, they just managed to recover Eshete’s dead body by blocking the animal’s path with fishing nets.

“They only managed to restrain his body. They were unable to save him,” said Eiwnetu Kanko.

Although it is not a daily phenomenon, crocodile attacks are a known risk in Ethiopia, as in Florida or in any other region where they proliferate.

In 2006, when the Wabe Shebelle River in southeastern Ethiopia overflowed, government boats were attacked by crocodiles.