12-year-old girl missing after being attacked by crocodile

A 12-year-old girl is missing after she was allegedly attacked by a crocodile while swimming in a cove 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).

“At approximately 5:30pm last night, police received reports of a missing 12-year-old child who was last seen swimming in Mango Creek,” he added.

“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.”

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Palumpa is about 350 kilometres southwest of Darwin and has an estimated population of just 400. Due to its remoteness, officers from the nearby town of Wadeye are helping with the search alongside a specialist rescue team, ABC News reported.

“Local law enforcement officers are on scene and our thoughts are with the family and community,” Staff Sgt. Erica Gibson said in a statement to 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 the “recovery phase”.

“It is a tragic incident for any parent or family member to lose a young child, especially in circumstances like this, to a crocodile,” he said, the outlet reported.

PEOPLE has contacted Northern Territory police, fire and emergency services for further comment.

According to Australia's Northern Territory website, the region is home to the largest population of wild crocodiles in the world, with more than 100,000 reptiles living there.