The ‘gruesome’ remains of a 12-year-old girl who went missing after a suspected crocodile attack have been found by police.
The victim, previously thought to be a little boy, went missing on Tuesday evening after going swimming in Mango Creek in Palumpa, a remote town in the Northern Territory of Australia.
The remains of the 12-year-old, who is yet to be identified publicly, were recovered after a 36-hour search effort by police and locals.
Northern Territory Police Senior Sergeant Erica Gibson said: ‘This morning, as a result of searching intensively overnight, the remains of the missing child were located in the riverway.
‘It was particularly gruesome and a sad, devastating outcome. It was extremely difficult for the first responders involved in the search.
‘As awful as the outcome is, it’s been an incredible effort from the people involved. I certainly would commend the actions of everyone involved.
‘They were diligent and work relentlessly. However, for the family, it’s the most devastating outcome possible for them.
‘They are in a state of extreme shock and disbelief. It’s not the outcome we were hoping for, but for the family at least there is some small element of closure.’
The Northern Territory is home to an estimated 100,000 crocodiles – more than anywhere else in the world. But attacks on humans and deaths are rare.
Saltwater crocodiles can grow up to 18ft (6 metres) in length and are larger and more aggressive than freshwater crocodiles, which also live in the waterways of the West Daly region.
There have been at least two other crocodile attacks against humans in the Northern Territories in the last year.
In January, a nine-year-old boy was left fighting for his life after being attacked in Kakadu National Park.
But this is the first reported fatal crocodile attack in six years – the last time was in 2018, when a Yirralka ranger was killed, MailOnline reports.
Sgt Gibson said the death is a ‘salient reminder’ of the risks of swimming in the Northern Territory’s waterways, adding: ‘Waterways in the Northern Territory could always have crocodiles in them and it’s that element of caution and being crocwise to ensure your own safety.’
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