The remains of a 12-year-old girl who went missing after a suspected crocodile attack have been found by police.
As previously reported, a victim went missing on Tuesday (July 2) evening after going swimming in Mango Creek in Palumpa, a remote town in the Northern Territory of Australia.
“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.
“Around 5:30PM last night, police received reports of a missing 12-year-old child who was last seen swimming at Mango Creek,” the statement continued. “Initial reports stated the child had been attacked by a crocodile. Community members and Peppimenarti Police attended the scene and began searching for the child, who has yet to be located.”
After a grueling 36-hour search effort by police and locals, the remains of the unnamed 12-year-old were recovered.
Northern Territory Police Senior Sergeant Erica Gibson issued a statement which read: “This morning, as a result of searching intensively overnight, the remains of the missing child were located in the driveway,” as cited by Metro.
“It was particularly gruesome and a sad, devastating outcome. It was extremely difficult for the first responders involved in the search,” they continued. “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,” she said, adding, “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.”
Nganmarriyanga is a remote Aboriginal community in the Daly River region of the Northern Territory. It is about 360km south-west of Darwin between the communities of Peppimenarti and Wadeye.
This is the first reported fatal crocodile attack in six years, the last time being in 2018 when a Yirralka ranger was killed, as reported by Daily Mail.
The Northern Territory is home to an estimated 100,000 crocodiles, which is more than anywhere else in the world. According to the outlet, Sgt Gibson said the heartbreaking attack came as a “salient reminder” of the risks of waterways in the area.
“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,” she added.
