Reports: 12-Year-Old Girl Missing After Being Attacked by Crocodile While Swimming in Creek

A 12-year-old girl is missing after allegedly being attacked by a crocodile while swimming in a creek 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.

“Around 5:30 p.m. last night, police received reports of a missing 12-year-old child who was last seen swimming at Mango Creek,” it added

“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.”

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Palumpa is around 220 miles southwest of Darwin and has an estimated population of just 400 residents. Due to its remoteness, officers from the nearby town of Wadeye a -

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re assisting in the search alongside a specialist rescue team, reported ABC News.

“Local officers are on scene and our thoughts are with the family and the community,” Senior Sergeant Erica Gibson said in a statement per NBC News. “Officers are currently searching a large section of the creek via boat, and we thank the community for their ongoing 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's a tragic incident for any parent or family member to lose a young child, and especially in the circumstances like that, taken by a crocodile," he said, reported the outlet.

PEOPLE has contacted the Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services for further comment.

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

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