Crocodile Escape Gives Vietnam Schoolkids Day Off

Primary schoolchildren in part of southern Vietnam were given a day off on Monday after a number of crocodiles escaped from a farm and were seen roaming around residential areas, reports said.

The reptiles were prowling around densely-populated neighborhoods after breaking free, according to Thanh Nien newspaper, which said the Kim Dong school had closed "to ensure safety for teachers and children".

Nearly 60 of the animals had been rounded up, Le Van Hai, head of the Forest Ranger Department of Ca Mau province told Agence France Presse, but it was unclear how many others remained at large.

"The wall of the crocodile farm collapsed because of rain erosion, letting them escape," Hai said of the incident on Friday at Dinh Binh town.

The Thanh Nien report said the farm had around 580 reptiles before the wall collapsed. It was not clear how many escaped.