12-year-old boy missing after being attacked and abducted by crocodile

LONDON — Australian police have launched a search near a remote community for a missing 12-year-old boy after reports he was attacked and abducted by a crocodile while swimming in a creek.

The incident happened around 5:30pm local time on Tuesday night in the remote community of Palumpa – about a seven-hour drive southwest of Darwin with a population of about 400 people – in Australia's Northern Territory, Northern Territory police, fire and emergency services said in a statement on Wednesday.

“At approximately 5:30pm last night, 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. Community members and Peppimenarti police attended the scene and began searching for the child, who has not yet been located.”

A search and rescue team was immediately deployed to the area with the assistance of Wadeye officers, but the child has still not been located, authorities said.

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

The Northern Territory is home to the world's largest population of wild crocodiles, with more than 100,000 predators in the wild, according to Australia's Northern Territory tourism website.

“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 page reads.

Although crocodiles can grow up to 20 feet (6 meters) long and weigh up to 1 ton (2,000 pounds), attacks on humans are very rare, although authorities recommend avoiding them.

“They like fish, but will eat just about anything, including cows and buffalo, wild boar, turtles, birds and crabs,” according to the NT tourism website. “Do not attempt to feed wild crocodiles during your stay 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.”