Child, 12, missing in suspected NT crocodile attack

A 12-year-old child is missing in a suspected crocodile attack near the remote Northern Territory community of Palumpa.

The child was reported missing around 5.30pm on Tuesday evening after they were last seen swimming at Mango Creek,around 350km south-west of Darwin, NT police said on Wednesday morning.

Early reports from worried family and community members said the child had been attacked by a crocodile.

Related: Wildlife officers euthanise crocodile after fatal attack on 16-year-old boy in Torres Strait

Police officers from the nearby township of Peppimenarti attended the scene and began a search and rescue operation. Community members and other officers from Wadeye also helped.

Senior Sgt Erica Gibson said her thoughts were with the family and community.

“Officers are currently searching a large section of the creek via boat and we thank the community for their ongoing assistance,” she said.

The waterways of the West Daly region of the Northern Territory, where Palumpa is located, are home to saltwater and freshwater crocodiles.

Saltwater crocodiles are larger and more dangerous and aggressive to humans and can grow up to 6 metres in length. Freshwater crocodiles can reach up to 3 metres in length and have been known to attack people.

There are more than 100,000 crocodiles in the Northern Territory.