Authorities in Australia search a remote area of the Northern Territory for a missing child
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Stock photo of a crocodile
A 12-year-old girl is missing after she was reportedly attacked by a crocodile while swimming in a creek in Australia, according to ABC News and NT News.
“Northern Territory Police are currently searching for a missing child near the remote community of Palumpa,” Northern Territory police, fire and emergency services wrote on Facebook on Wednesday, July 3.
“Last night at approximately 5.30pm police received reports of a missing 12-year-old boy who was last seen swimming in Mango Creek,” it added
“Initial reports said the child had been attacked by a crocodile. Community members and Peppimenarti police arrived at the scene and began searching for the child, who has still not been found.”
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Northern Territory Police drive past Uluru in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park
Related: Australian Man Survives Crocodile Attack By Biting Back: Report
Palumpa is located about 220 miles southwest of Darwin and has an estimated population of just 400. Due to its remote location, officers from the nearby town of Wadeye are assisting in the search, along with a specialized search and rescue team, ABC News reported.
“Local officers are on scene and our thoughts are with the family and community,” Senior Sergeant Erica Gibson said in a statement, per NBC News. “Officers are currently searching a large portion of the creek by boat and we thank the community for their continued assistance.”
According to the BBC, Northern Territory Police Minister Brent Potter told reporters on Wednesday afternoon that the operation had entered its “recovery phase.”
“It is a tragedy for any parent or family member to lose a young child, especially in such circumstances, when it is taken by a crocodile,” he said, the magazine reported.
Related: Man killed, woman injured after shark or crocodile attack at Mexican resort, officials say
PEOPLE has contacted Northern Territory police, fire and emergency services for further comment.
According to the website of the Northern Territory of Australia, this region is home to the largest population of wild crocodiles in the world, with over 100,000 reptiles living in this region.
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