12-Year-Old Child Missing After Crocodile Attack and Abduction: Report

LONDON — Police in Australia have launched a search for a missing 12-year-old child near a remote settlement after receiving reports that the child had been attacked and carried off by a crocodile while swimming in a stream.

The incident happened on Tuesday evening at about 5.30pm local time in the remote town of Palumpa – about seven hours’ drive southwest of Darwin and home to about 400 people – in Australia’s Northern Territory, according to Northern Territory police, fire and police. & Emergency services said in a statement on Wednesday.

“At approximately 5:30 PM yesterday evening, police received reports of a missing 12-year-old child who was last seen swimming in Mango Creek,” authorities said. “Initial reports indicated that the child had been attacked by a crocodile. Members of the public and Peppimenarti police responded to the scene and began searching for the child, who has not yet been located.”

According to the officers, a search and rescue team was immediately dispatched to the scene with the assistance of officers from Wadeye, but the child has not yet been found.

“Local officers are on scene and our thoughts are with the family and community,” Senior Sergeant Erica Gibson said. “Officers are currently searching a large section of the creek by boat and we thank the community for their continued assistance.”

According to Australia’s Northern Territory Tourism website, the Northern Territory is home to the world’s largest population of wild crocodiles, with more than 100,000 living in the wild.

“If you’ve ever wanted to see a crocodile in the wild, the Northern Territory is the best place in the world to do it,” the website says.

Although crocodiles can grow to be up to 20 feet long and weigh up to 1 ton (2,000 pounds), attacks on humans are very rare, although authorities warn people to stay away from them.

“They like fish, but will eat almost anything, including cows and buffalo, wild boar, turtles, birds and crabs,” says the NT tourism website. “Do not attempt to feed any wild crocodiles during your stay, and do not swim in any body of water, camp, fish or walk in any area where crocodile warning signs are posted. The best way to avoid injury is to avoid crocodiles in the wild altogether.”