Australian police on Thursday announced the discovery of human remains believed to be those of a missing 12-year-old child reportedly attacked by a crocodile while swimming.
“This is devastating news for the family, the community and everyone involved in the search,” Northern Territory police Senior Sergeant Erica Gibson said in a statement.
ABC News reported that the incident took place on Tuesday evening at about 5:30 p.m. local time in the remote community of Palumpa—a seven-hour drive southwest of Darwin in the Northern Territory.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Initial reports stated the child had been attacked by a crocodile,” NT Police said in a statement on Wednesday morning.
Gibson said the child and their family were swimming at Mango Creek, just under two miles from Palumpa
“It is just a really sad, tragic event... it is confronting for everyone,” she said.
The Northern Territory is home to the world’s largest number of wild saltwater crocodiles, with a population of more than 100,000, according to the Northern Territory tourism website.
However, attacks on humans are rare.
In May 2023, the remains of pub owner Kevin Darmody, 65, were found inside a pair of crocodiles in Lakefield National Park in the Australian state of Queensland. It is believed the fisherman was snatched by the crocodiles when he went into the saltwater river to retrieve a lure.
