A 24-year-old bride-to-be was mauled to death by a 16ft crocodile in front of her horrified fiancé on October 23 in Southwest Sumba, Indonesia.

Selviana Ambu Kaka, 24, was washing clothes with her boyfriend Fabianus Dowa and his sister Imelda when the reptile emerged from the Bondo Kodi River and latched onto her left thigh.

The animal dragged her into the water, and the couple watched helplessly as she was pulled away.

Relatives were alerted and locals launched a search operation that continued into the early hours of October 24.

Villagers eventually located the crocodile, captured it with a net and beheaded it on shore.

Selviana's body was found at 6 am the following day about 100 ft from where she disappeared and was pronounced dead at the scene, bearing several bite marks.

Authorities said the victim was already dead when found and suspected she was attacked while bathing.

Her remains were taken to Fabianus's family home in Waikaninyo Village for funeral preparations.

Neighbours reported she had returned from Jakarta three days earlier to take part in traditional wedding customs and was due to be formally engaged on October 30.

On the attack day, Fabianus's family had visited Selviana's parents to request a dowry postponement before the couple went to the river to wash clothes and bathe.

Officials warned the river area is a known crocodile habitat and urged caution for anyone conducting activities nearby.