Shock and horror for the family. No child should ever die this way.
Authorities in Australia are currently investigating after discovering human remains believed to belong to a 12-year-old girl who was reported missing following an apparent crocodile attack. The incident occurred on the evening of July 2 while the child was swimming in Mango Creek near Palumpa, a secluded community situated approximately 220 miles southwest of Darwin in the Northern Territory.
#Breaking: Police have located remains in the Northern Territory believed to be those of a 12-year-old child who was missing.
The girl was believed to have been attacked by a crocodile in Mango Creek on Tuesday 2 July, triggering an extensive search.
“Police are providing… pic.twitter.com/EF1BgPq3SB
— 10 News First (@10NewsFirst) July 4, 2024
The initial disappearance of the girl prompted a large-scale search operation. Two days later, on July 4, officials confirmed the grim discovery of remains near the area where the girl was last seen, intensifying concerns that she had been the victim of a wildlife attack.
The search involved numerous personnel and extended over 36 hours, highlighting the challenges posed by the dense and rugged terrain surrounding Mango Creek. The area, known for its dark waters and thick vegetation, made the search efforts particularly arduous.
A search is underway for a missing 12-year-old girl who is believed to have been attacked by a crocodile in the Northern Territory.
Police in the remote community of Palumpa were called at 5:30pm last night, and have deployed a search and rescue team along Mango Creek and in the… pic.twitter.com/C06kSbSW5v
— 10 News First (@10NewsFirst) July 3, 2024
Senior Sergeant Erica Gibson, speaking on the tragic outcome, conveyed the profound impact of the incident on the girl’s family and the broader community. She noted that the remains found were consistent with injuries from a crocodile attack, underscoring the perilous nature of the local wildlife. Authorities continue their efforts to locate the crocodile involved in the incident.
The family of the girl, along with the local community which numbers around 2,000 residents and includes one of Australia’s largest indigenous populations, have been offered support by law enforcement and emergency services. The community, deeply connected to the region known for its remote beauty and inherent risks, often visits this creek during seasonal holidays.
12-year-old missing after being attacked and taken by crocodile
A 12-year-old child is missing and presumed attacked by a crocodile while swimming in Mango Creek, Palumpa, Australia. A search and rescue team has been deployed, but the child has not been located. The Northern… pic.twitter.com/eZegOaiJtX
— Newsvision (@newsvisionmedia) July 3, 2024
Gibson, in her statements, described the creek as a winding waterway with varying depths, bordered by dense foliage that complicates search and rescue operations. The tragic event has drawn attention to the dangers of interacting with natural habitats that are home to Australia’s vast crocodile population, estimated at over 100,000.
Major Points
- Human remains believed to be of a 12-year-old girl were found in Northern Territory, Australia, after she went missing during a swim in Mango Creek.
- The child was reportedly attacked by a crocodile on July 2, leading to an extensive 36-hour search operation in the dense and rugged terrain.
- Authorities confirmed the recovery of remains near the creek, with injuries indicative of a crocodile attack.
- The local community, including one of Australia’s largest indigenous populations, has been deeply affected, with ongoing support provided to the family and first responders.
- The search continues for the crocodile involved in the incident, highlighting the area’s challenges and the dangers of its large wild crocodile population.
Lap Fu Ip – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
