Remains of 12-year-old girl found after she was attacked and abducted by a crocodile

(LONDON) — The remains of a missing 12-year-old girl in Australia have been found after she was attacked and taken by a crocodile while swimming in a stream, police said.

The incident occurred around 5.30pm local time on Tuesday evening in the remote community of Palumpa in Australia’s Northern Territory – about a seven-hour drive southwest of Darwin with a population of about 400 – the Northern Territory police, fire and emergency services said in a statement released on Wednesday.

“Last night around 5:30 p.m., 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 was attacked by a crocodile. Community members and Peppimenarti police attended the scene and began searching for the child, who has not yet been found.”

A search and rescue team was immediately dispatched to the area, assisted by officers from Wadeye, but the remains of the 12-year-old girl were found several hours later, a Northern Territory Police statement said.

“Northern Territory Police have located remains believed to be those of a missing 12-year-old child near Palumpa,” authorities said. “The child was reportedly attacked by a crocodile in Mango Creek on Tuesday 2 July 2024. An extensive search operation has been launched to find the child. Senior Sergeant Erica Gibson said: ‘This is devastating news for the family, the community and everyone involved in the search. Police are supporting the family and community as well as first responders who arrived at the scene.'”

The Northern Territory is home to the world’s largest population of wild crocodiles. According to Australia’s Northern Territory tourism website, there are over 100,000 of these predators living in the wild.

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

Although the crocodiles can grow up to six meters long and weigh a ton, attacks on humans are very rare. Nevertheless, authorities warn people to avoid them.

“They like fish but will eat pretty much anything, including cows and buffalo, wild boar, turtles, birds and crabs,” the Northern Territory tourism website states. “During your stay, do not attempt to feed wild crocodiles and do not swim in waterways, camp, fish or walk in areas where crocodile warning signs are posted. The best way to avoid injury is to avoid crocodiles in the wild altogether.”

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.