Body found in search for child missing in croc attack

A 12-year-old child was last seen swimming near the remote Aboriginal town of Nganmarriyanga in the Northern Territory of Australia. The child went missing around dusk on Tuesday, and police believe the child was the victim of a crocodile attack. Human remains were found during the search for the child, which has been a devastating blow to the family and the community. Senior Sgt Erica Gibson stated that police would provide support to everyone affected by this tragic event. Earlier, Sgt Gibson mentioned to ABC News that a black crocodile had been spotted in the immediate area. Approximately 40 community members joined police officers in the search for the missing child. They scoured the area by foot, boat, and helicopter, covering challenging terrain with thick vegetation and a narrow, winding waterway. No details were provided on whether the crocodile suspected of attacking the child had been located. On Wednesday, NT Police Minister Brent Potter said that wildlife officers had been authorized to remove the crocodile from the area once it was found. He reiterated the government's safety message, reminding people to stay out of the water as much as possible because crocodiles inhabit these areas.

Saltwater crocodiles are found all around the northern edges of Australia, from Broome in Western Australia to Gladstone in Queensland. They were hunted to near extinction, but their numbers have rebounded since hunting was banned in the 1970s. The Northern Territory is now home to an estimated 100,000 saltwater crocodiles, more than anywhere else in the world. Although attacks are uncommon, there have been at least two other crocodile attacks in the Northern Territory in the past year. In January, a nine-year-old boy was injured while swimming in Kakadu National Park, and in October, a farmer escaped a crocodile's jaws by biting it back. There has not been a fatal attack in the Northern Territory since 2018.

Queensland, however, has experienced a series of deadly attacks in recent years. In April, a 16-year-old boy was killed in the Torres Strait. The presence of crocodiles in these areas serves as a reminder of the importance of staying out of the water and being cautious. The tragic incident involving the 12-year-old child has deeply affected the community, and efforts will continue to support those impacted by this heartbreaking event. The search for the crocodile and the investigation into the incident are ongoing.